Fight Against Fascism - 2

Call for Support in the Fight Against Fascism

Dear all,

Following is an update to my previous fundraiser for the same purpose.

We are engaged in a tough battle against the fascist regime of Pakistan, led by a military junta that is brutally suppressing dissent. Recently, I underwent a nine-month investigation by the UK's Counterterrorism Police and was cleared of all accusations. Despite this, I am still embroiled in a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) filed by ISI Senior Commander Brigadier Rashid Naseer, who is now serving as an advisor to the DG(C), infamously nicknamed "Dirty Harry" by Imran Khan. This case is scheduled for trial in 2025.

My legal team initially applied for security of costs being incurred (proof of which were submitted to GoFundMe), but this was rejected because of a reciprocal agreement between Pakistan and the UK. Subsequently, without consulting me, my lawyers requested a three-month stay on the case, citing an investigation by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) against the ISI commander's lawyers. This appeal was also denied, as the judge saw no guarantee of the investigation concluding within three months and noted that Brigadier Naseer could change his lawyers at any time.

The judge did, however, grant anonymity to my witnesses and advised me to file an abuse of process application, recognizing this case as a potential example of libel tourism by a foreign intelligence agency. According to recent case law, the costs of rejected applications fall on the applicant. Consequently, I was ordered to pay £10,000 for the two failed applications. Following my lawyers' advice, I requested to pay in installments, but the judge deemed this premature, suggesting I should have waited for enforcement by the claimant. Although the judge rejected this application, he ordered the additional payment to £3,000 against the claim of around £9,000 by the ISI's Brigadier's lawyers. The judge advised me to negotiate an installment plan with the opposing solicitors, which I have offered, but no response has been received so far after rejection of an initial offer.

Due to poor legal advice and financial constraints, I now owe a total of £13,000 in costs. As a result, I have dismissed my lawyers and am now representing myself. Moving forward, I will need the services of a direct access barrister, funds permitting. I am also exploring other avenues for assistance.

The ISI Brigadier's legal team has claimed a cost budget of £289,975.20. This exorbitant sum underscores the lengths to which the Pakistani military junta will go to silence me, aiming to bankrupt me and force me to abandon my journalistic work. This is particularly troubling given that I already owe £13,000 due to three rejected applications, a situation entirely caused by my former lawyers' incompetence, for which I intend to report them to the SRA.

The ISI Brigadier's lawyers are also seeking to debar me, likely out of fear of facing a trial that would see an ISI commander cross-examined in the Royal Court of Justice in London. It is clear that after seizing all my assets in Pakistan, the junta is trying to force me into a full-time job that would prevent me from continuing my journalistic efforts, which have significantly undermined their façade of political stability.

Now, more than ever, I need your support to sustain my legal battle and cover my living expenses while continuing my divinely entrusted work. We must unite to restore democracy, support Imran Khan, alleviate the suffering of the poor, and save our motherland from imminent destruction.

Your contributions, no matter the amount, are crucial. What matters is that many of you contribute, empowering me to persist in this fight against fascism.

Thank you for your support.