The Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by YouTuber Iqra Kanwal seeking to have a gambling promotion case against her disposed of, 24NewsHD reported. The petition was heard by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.
The case, registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in September, alleges that Kanwal used her YouTube fame to promote gambling apps, causing financial losses to the public. Her lawyer argued that the case contained false and incorrect facts and sought immediate quashing of the proceedings.
The NCCIA counsel opposed the petition, emphasizing that the accused leveraged her online influence to encourage investments in gambling platforms. A government lawyer added that the court cannot quash the case before the investigation report is submitted, noting that Kanwal’s innocence may be established during the investigation. Following these arguments, the court rejected the petition.
Authorities have intensified scrutiny on social media influencers accused of promoting illegal apps, filing multiple cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), fraud, and other relevant laws since September 2025. Other influencers booked in related cases include Nadeem Naniwala, Rajab Butt, Muhammad Hasnain Shah, Anas Ali, and Hurairah.
Investigators allege that these influencers knowingly enticed citizens into fraudulent schemes, putting thousands at financial risk. Separate cases are being pursued against each individual as part of a wider crackdown on online gambling promotion.
