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Adil Raja

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Adil Farooq Raja
Born(1978-12-05)December 5, 1978
Allegiance Pakistan
BranchPakistan Army
Service years1998–2022
Rank Major
Other workYouTuber, activist

Adil Farooq Raja (Urdu: عادل راجہ); born 5 December 1978) is a Pakistani-born YouTuber and former military officer who served as a major in the Pakistan Army until his retirement in 2022. Later, he briefly served as a spokesperson for the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS).

After relocating to the United Kingdom, Raja became known for producing online video content in which he describes himself as a whistleblower and critic of the military establishment of Pakistan. Due to his criticism of Pakistan Army, in 2023, he was court-martialed in Pakistan for sedition and espionage, which resulted in a 14-year prison sentence issued in absentia.

Early life and military career

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Raja was born on 5 December 1978 in Pakistan. He belongs to a Punjabi Rajput family with a military background; during Wold War 1, his great-grandfather Subedar Major Sardar Niaz Ali Khan of the British India Army was sentenced to life imprisonment in Kala Pani for his refusal to fight the Ottoman Empire.[1] His father was in the Pakistan Army, Major (Retired) Umar Farooq Raja.[2] He joined the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1998 as a member of the 99th PMA Long Course.[3] After gratuading from the PMA with a bachelor’s degree in general science, military science, and international relations, Raja earned his master's degree from the University of Peshawar.[2]

Raja served in the Pakistan Army from 1998 to 2022, and retired as a major.[4] During his service, he was associated with the ISI and later served as a spokesperson for the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS).[5]

Following his retirement, Raja founded a land acquisition company that worked with multiple real estate organisations, including the Defence Housing Authority.[6] In April 2022, his house was raided by the security agencies.[5]

Exile and YouTube activism

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In April 2022, Raja resigned from his position at PESS and was reported missing in Islamabad before later reappearing in London, where he joined his family.[5][7] He has stated that his family in Pakistan received threats, which he has attributed to his public disclosures.[8] While in the UK, he began producing YouTube videos under the channel Soldier Speaks, presenting himself as a whistleblower and alleging misconduct within the military.[9] His videos include claims of involvement by senior officers in political interference and human rights abuses, and have gained a following among critics of the military establishment of Pakistan.[8]

Raja has been a supporter of political thoughts of former prime minister Imran Khan, since his arrest in 2023.[3]

Trials

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Court-martial and sedition conviction

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In 2023, Raja was charged under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the Official Secrets Act, 1923, the Pakistan Penal Code, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 for inciting sedition, defamation, espionage, and acts prejudicial to state interests.[10][3] A Field General Court Martial convicted him in absentia on 7 and 9 October 2023, sentencing him to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment and forfeiting his military rank on 21 November 2023.[3] The conviction came after his content allegedly fomented rebellion, including during the May 9, 2023, protests that targeted military installations.[3]

UK defamation case

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In August 2022, retired Brigadier Rashid Naseer filed a defamation case against Raja in London's High Court over online allegations of corruption, electoral interference, judicial manipulation, and human rights abuses.[9][8] In March 2023, a fake Metropolitan Police summons addressed to Raja circulated online, later debunked by Reuters as fabricated.[11]

The trial opened on 21 July 2025 at the Royal Courts of Justice, with Raja participating remotely due to safety concerns.[8] Witnesses, including former accountability official Shahzad Akbar, testified on alleged election interference in Pakistan's 2024 general elections.[8] In 2025, Raja characterized the defamation case filed against him in the United Kingdom as an effort by the ISI to weaponise libel laws to suppress dissent.[9]

On 9 October 2025, Justice Richard Spearman ruled the allegations "false and baseless," ordering Raja to pay £50,000 in damages and £300,000 in legal costs.[9] Earlier, in April 2025, the court had mandated £6,100 in interim costs.[4] Naseer claimed Raja's statements led to death threats and privacy breaches against his family.[8] Raja has appealed, framing the case as a "strategic lawsuit against public participation" (SLAPP).[9]

Extradition request

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On 4 December 2025, Mohsin Naqvi filed an extradition request on the behalf of the Government of Pakistan to the UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott, seeking the extradition of Raja. The request was accompanied by documents citing allegations of anti-state propaganda.[12][13] Naqvi linked the extradition request to Pakistan's acceptance of the return of two alleged ringleaders of the Rochdale grooming gang.[14][15]

Anti-terror conviction

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In January 2026, Raja was among 8 other journalists and youtubers who were tried in absentia and sentenced to life by an anti-terror court in Pakistan. The court ruled that their online activity in support of Imran Khan "fell within the ambit of terrorism". Organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists called the investigations a retaliation.[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) [@soldierspeaks] (14 June 2020). "My great grandfather Subedar Major Sardar Niaz Ali Khan Chib, Royal Indian Army, was sentenced to life imprisonment (Kala Pani) by the viceroy of British Empire upon his refusal to fight the Ottoman Empire alongside his complete tribe (Muslim Chib Rajput) in World War 1" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 January 2026 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b "Profile: Who is Adil Farooq Raja?". Daily Pakistan English News. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Army's two ex-officers convicted of sedition". Dawn. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  4. ^ a b "UK court orders YouTuber Adil Raja to pay legal costs in defamation case". Dawn. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "'Missing' ex-army officer reaches London 'safely', says will break silence 'in time'". Dawn. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  6. ^ "About Me". 4 July 2023.
  7. ^ "'Missing' retired army officer reaches family in London". The Express Tribune. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Defamation trial of YouTuber Adil Raja opens in UK court". Dawn. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e "UK court rules against YouTuber Adil Raja in defamation case by retired army officer". Dawn. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Ex-army officers convicted for inciting mutiny". The Express Tribune. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Fact Check: Metropolitan Police letter to Pakistani retired major is fake". Reuters. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  12. ^ "In meeting with UK high commissioner, Naqvi hands over extradition papers for Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja". Dawn. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Pakistan submits extradition requests for Shehzad Akbar, Adil Raja to UK". The Express Tribune. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Pakistan 'demands dissidents in return for grooming gang leaders'". The Telegraph. 9 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Pakistan links 'return of UK convicts to extradition of anti-state' suspects". Aaj English TV. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  16. ^ "Pakistan sentences journalists to life in prison over pro-Khan protests". ABC News. 3 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
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