LAHORE – Controversial social media influencers, Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak alias Nani Wala, appeared in Lahore sessions court and got their pre-arrest bail extended in high-profile case involving the alleged promotion of online gambling applications.
The courtroom scene was tense, with strict police security in place as the TikTokers arrived alongside their lawyers. Additional District and Sessions Judge Mansoor Ahmed presided over the hearing, which saw the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) seek more time to present its investigation record. NCCIA’s counsel informed the court that the investigating officer was busy attending proceedings at the Lahore High Court, prompting a request for adjournment.
Accepting the plea, the court extended interim bail of both accused until January 26 and directed the NCCIA to ensure the complete record is produced at the next hearing. After their attendance was formally marked, the judge allowed Butt and Mubarak to leave the courtroom.
The case is latest chapter in series of controversies surrounding two content creators. In September 2025, Rajab Butt was booked by the NCCIA for allegedly promoting online gambling apps across his YouTube and TikTok videos, as well as Instagram stories that appeared for limited durations. His co-accused, Nadeem Mubarak, was also booked for similar promotions but landed in deeper trouble when he was arrested the same month for displaying a fake vehicle registration number, “IK-804”.
Police sources said Mubarak failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for using the registration number, which is linked to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, further fuelling public and political controversy around the case.
Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) restored the practising licence of Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, the lawyer representing Rajab Butt. The restoration came just a day after the Lahore High Court took up Ashfaq’s petition challenging the suspension of his licence.
Justice Malik Awais Khalid of the LHC had summoned the complete record of the Punjab Bar Council and directed its vice chairman to grant Ashfaq a personal hearing and resolve the matter by 2pm on Tuesday.
Council suspended Ashfaq’s licence following a complaint lodged by the Karachi Bar Association (KBA), accusing him of appearing before a Karachi court during a lawyers’ strike. The strike had been called in protest against the alleged victimisation of the KBA’s former librarian, Naseer Muhammad Kalhoro.
PbBC rejected Ashfaq’s objection regarding the executive committee’s authority to suspend his licence, calling the argument “misconceived.” The matter has now been referred to the council’s disciplinary committee for further proceedings, including the possibility of permanent cancellation. The Lahore High Court has been formally informed of the council’s decision.
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