July 22, 2025 – London, UK
On the second day of the defamation trial at the Royal Courts of Justice (Case No. QB-2022-002648), Soldier Speaks founder Adil Raja, appearing via video link from the UK, continued his bold stand against what we believe is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) launched by Pakistan’s military establishment through retired Brigadier Rashid Naseer. This case is not just about defending Adil Raja but about protecting press freedom and exposing systemic abuses. Day 2 highlighted our determination to challenge the military’s narrative and fight for the truth.
Key Developments from Day 2: Unmasking the Claimant’s Claims
Our legal team, led by Barrister Simon Harding, rigorously cross-examined Brigadier Naseer, who claimed that neither he nor Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) nor the military are involved in kidnappings or torture, dismissing such allegations as “fashionable.” We at Soldier Speaks find this denial astonishing, given the documented history of military overreach in Pakistan, which our platform has consistently exposed. Harding pressed Naseer on how he funds this expensive lawsuit on a military pension (estimated at £600–£900 monthly), raising questions about potential backing from powerful entities—an issue Naseer failed to clarify convincingly.
The court, under Deputy High Court Judge Richard Spearman KC, emphasized that this case focuses on individual defamation, not Pakistan’s political landscape. However, we maintain that this lawsuit is a proxy for the military’s attempt to silence dissent. Naseer’s counsel, David Lemer, questioned him, but our defense highlighted inconsistencies in his testimony, particularly around the lack of evidence for his claims of harm. Our witnesses—former PTI adviser Shahzad Akbar, who testified in person, and journalists Shaheen Sehbai and Syed Akbar Hussain, appearing remotely from the U.S. due to safety concerns—reinforced the public interest in our work. Their bravery, despite reported intimidation in Pakistan, underscores the stakes of this trial.
A SLAPP to Muzzle Truth
The National Union of Journalists’ London Freelance Branch (NUJ-LFB) reaffirmed its support, calling this trial a SLAPP that threatens press freedom. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with one supporter noting, “Adil Raja’s fight in London is a stand against the ISI’s lawfare to silence truth-tellers.” The court noted that we withdrew a truth defense, meaning we now focus on proving the public interest of our statements—a challenge we are prepared to meet. The burden is on us to show that our exposés serve the greater good, and we are confident in our evidence.
Our Resolve Remains Unshaken
This trial, running through July 24, is a test of our mission at Soldier Speaks to hold the powerful accountable. From the UK, Adil Raja continues to fight for those silenced in Pakistan. We will not bow to lawfare designed to drain our resources and suppress our voice. Stay with us for daily updates on SoldierSpeaks.org, YouTube, and X as we battle for justice.
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