Overview
- Additional Sessions Judge Mansoor Ali Qureshi approved interim pre-arrest bail for both influencers until January 6 and barred police from detaining them during this period.
- The court directed the pair to join the ongoing investigation; their petitions were filed through Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, with one case against Butt and two against Mubarak reported.
- An FIR at the NCCIA Police Station in Lahore cites Sections 13, 14, 25 and 26 of PECA 2016 as amended in 2025, along with PPC Sections 294-B and 420, alleging promotion of betting and gambling apps that misled viewers.
- British-Pakistani influencer Zareq (Zaraq) Nazir says he will return to Pakistan to participate in the inquiry, confirms he is named in the same FIR, and denies involvement in illegal promotions.
- British authorities previously detained Butt and Mubarak and seized their phones; Butt’s UK visa was cancelled, and he disputes reports he was deported, saying he returned by choice.