Zaraq Nazir, a prominent British-Pakistani online personality, has announced his return to Pakistan to face questioning in a widening investigation into illegal online gambling. The inquiry centers around allegations of promoting unauthorized betting applications to a vast online audience.
This development follows the recent granting of interim bail to fellow TikTokers Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak, both also named in the initial investigation report. Their arrests in the UK, which Nazir witnessed, triggered a cascade of events impacting Butt’s immigration status after authorities seized their phones.
Investigators allege that Nazir, Butt, and Mubarak leveraged their combined influence across multiple social media platforms – YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook – to entice individuals into investing in these applications, falsely portraying them as lucrative opportunities. The core accusation is a coordinated effort to profit from misleading endorsements.
Nazir insists on his innocence, stating he was merely present during the arrests of Butt and Mubarak. He claims their phones were inaccessible for nearly two days, initiating the scrutiny that ultimately led to Butt’s visa revocation. He learned of their departure from the UK through news reports, expressing surprise at being excluded from their plans.
He vehemently denies ever using or promoting any gambling application, characterizing the case against him as fabricated. Nazir attributes the investigation to public displays of wealth – specifically, showcasing expensive cars with Butt in London and distributing money during visits to Pakistani cities – which apparently drew unwanted attention.
Nazir’s delayed participation stems from a deep-seated fear of mistreatment, referencing the ordeal of YouTuber Ducky Bhai in a similar case. He described Bhai’s arrest, alleged blackmail, and financial exploitation, highlighting that Bhai’s release only came through intervention from military leadership.
The turning point, Nazir explains, was Ducky Bhai’s courageous public disclosure of his experience. This revelation, coupled with a renewed sense of trust in Pakistani institutions, prompted Nazir and his associates to believe they would receive fair treatment. They had initially planned a joint return to Pakistan.
Nazir is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on December 15th, prepared to cooperate fully with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s inquiry. He expresses hope that his participation will help clarify the situation and dispel the accusations against him.
