Renowned Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor was prevented from travelling last night from Islamabad International Airport to Washington, where he was scheduled to attend a 12-day International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) organised by the U.S. State Department.
Toor revealed that immigration officials barred his departure, stating that his name appeared on Pakistan’s Exit Control List (ECL) — also referred to as the “PNIL” — but failed to provide any explanation for this action despite repeated requests.
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— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) August 8, 2025
In personal announcement, I was travelling from #Islamabad international airport for Washington to attend 12 day @StateDept IVLP program proposed by @usembislamabad but barred from traveling by immigration authorities, stated my name is on the PNIL. I repeatedly asked the… pic.twitter.com/BFmO51YOOl
In a personal statement, Toor criticised the move as an attempt to silence independent journalism in Pakistan, saying, “Journalism and speaking truth to power is made an offence in Pakistan. Yes, I committed it and will keep repeating this crime.” He further accused the current government, describing it as a “hybrid regime,” and pointed to Pakistan’s decline by six points in the World Press Freedom Index, slipping from 152nd to 158th place.
This incident has sparked fresh concerns about press freedom and governmental restrictions on journalists in Pakistan.