The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly frozen the bank accounts of independent journalist Asad Ali Toor, his family members, and several bird sellers from across Pakistan, all due to transactions linked to the purchase of parrots.
Rozi Khan, a 29-year-old bird seller from Karachi, first discovered the issue during a trip to Islamabad in April. After completing a routine sale, he was unable to withdraw money from an ATM. “Invalid bank account,” the screen read. He later learned from his bank manager that the account had been shut on April 10 following an FIA directive.
“I sell birds to all sorts of people,” Rozi Khan said. “I had no idea that selling parrots to a journalist could lead to this.”
The problem extends beyond Rozi Khan. In Lahore, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, and other cities, other sellers who had previously done business with Asad Ali Toor also found their accounts frozen. One of them, 60-year-old businessman Nadeem Nasir, said his account was blocked without any formal notice, shortly after a cheque bounced unexpectedly. When he followed up with FIA officials, he was asked about his ties to Toor.
Asad Ali Toor is a prominent YouTuber and vocal government critic with over 335,000 subscribers. He has a long-standing interest in rare parrots and reportedly spends over Rs. 50,000 monthly on their care. His bank accounts — and those of his parents, brother, and cousin — were frozen along with those of the bird sellers.
The FIA has not publicly commented on the matter, nor have any formal charges been announced related to the financial blocks. However, the incident comes amid increasing pressure on independent journalists in Pakistan.
Most recently, Toor’s YouTube channel was among 27 that authorities sought to suspend for “anti-state” content. A sessions court later overturned the suspension.
Toor said he only became aware of the banking crackdown after a cousin informed him of the frozen account. “It’s not just about me. Even people who sold me birds are being punished. It’s absurd,” he said.
The incident has raised new concerns about the extent of state surveillance, the use of financial tools for repression, and the shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan.