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Toe this line, or else...
Commentator reports threats to take a pro-US line
BRANCH member Adil Raja on 29 March reported yet more threats to his life – this time apparently from new sources, pressurizing him to change his political commentary on Pakistan to more closely align with US interests during Operation Epic Fury.
Adil Raja on his YouTube channel
His legal team have asked for it to be placed on record among his journalist colleagues that imminent and credible threats were made against him in March 2026, by an individual claiming links to the White House, Donald Trump and the CIA – so that, in the event of any harm coming to Adil or his family, there exists a documented and independently held account of the situation, consistent with reports made to and upheld by UK authorities.
Adil has positioned himself as a critic of what he understands as authoritarian practices and human rights violations in Pakistan, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers there. For the last two years Adil has published on YouTube, X, TikTok, Facebook and his website www.soldierspeaks.org. Adil tells the Freelance that his influence “particularly with audiences in Pakistan has placed him in a position where geopolitical narratives intersect directly with his journalism”.
He was contacted by an individual calling him on what appeared to be official White House telephone numbers suggesting that he take pro-US political positions in his reporting concerning the current war in Iran. Adil says the individual provided “inside” geopolitical information, some of which was verifiable. Adil tells the Freelance that in their conversations the individual repeatedly referred to him as an “asset”. Adil says that he was offered incentives to take a pro-US line – incentives which included US citizenship for Adil and his family.
Adil reports that the individual claimed Adil’s role as an influencer within Pakistan was strategically important in shaping public opinion there. He tells the Freelance that since the start of the US and Israeli war on Iran this individual’s demands have escalated significantly and that he is receiving increased pressure to promote a pro-US, anti-Iran narrative in his public output – with demands for his messaging to be aligned with broader geopolitical issues involving the US, Saudi Arabia, and potential involvement of Pakistan's military in Iran.
He tells the Freelance that he has refused to comply with the requests, as this would compromise his journalistic integrity by involving him in the dissemination of propaganda.
Over the last two years Adil’s reporting has brought him costly repercussions from the Pakistan security services, including a libel case initiated against him by a high-ranking member of Pakistan’s military, followed by an extradition request made to the highest levels of UK government.
On 26 December 2025 Adil’s home was broken into and vandalised. Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack; eight of those have been charged and denied bail. The attack was widely reported in mainstream media outlets and the NUJ raised concerns. Adil believes that this attack was instigated by Pakistan’s security services.
Escalation and threats
Following Adil’s refusal to adopt the mysterious caller’s party line and his subsequent disengagement, the calls have continued, despite Adil blocking numbers. He says communications have included threats that he would be “sorted out” both in the UK and internationally, and that he had “jeopardised” himself and his family. He was told that his social media platforms would be shut down. Immediately after this Adil discovered that his Facebook page was banned in Pakistan. His TikTok circulation was also restricted, and his reach declined by almost 80% overnight.
Adil reports insinuations of surveillance, such as his phone being “hacked”, and intrusive references to private family matters. He tells the Freelance that currently he is unable to determine whether the actor is a state-linked operative, a proxy actor, or just an individual conducting a sophisticated deception, possibly via spoofed or misused official US government phone numbers. He understands, however, that UK counter-terrorism police regard these threats as explicit, sustained, and credible enough to warrant serious concern.
Adil seeks awareness of his situation to be raised among journalists. Should anything happen to him or his family, he asks that we please keep in mind the threats he and his family have faced to date. He thanks the NUJ and the Freelance for their support.