In a dramatic turn of events that’s sending ripples through Pakistan’s vibrant social media scene, popular YouTuber Rajab Butt has been deported from the United Kingdom after authorities canceled his visa. The 30-something content creator, known for his flashy family vlogs and a subscriber base exceeding 8 million, was whisked away on an early morning flight back to Pakistan yesterday. This isn’t just a routine immigration hiccup—it’s tied to serious allegations of withholding information about ongoing criminal cases during his visa application. As Butt lands back home and faces a court date today, questions swirl about his future, from legal battles to his online empire. Let’s break down what happened, why it did, and what’s next for this controversial influencer.
The Incident: A Sudden Exit from British Soil
Rajab Butt, whose real name is Muhammad Rajab, has been living the high life in the UK for months, posting glimpses of luxury cars, family outings, and everyday banter that captivated his audience. But that all came crashing down on December 9, 2025, when UK Home Office officials delivered a bombshell: his visa, valid until 2027, was revoked on the spot. Sources close to the matter say Butt was arrested briefly during a routine check at a London airport, where he and fellow TikToker Nadeem Naniwala (aka Naniwala) were detained over anonymous tips linking them to “terrorism-related activities.” Quick investigations cleared them of those grave charges—no evidence of terror ties surfaced—but the deeper dive into Butt’s paperwork uncovered a glaring issue.
He hadn’t disclosed multiple pending legal cases back in Pakistan. UK immigration rules are ironclad on this: any concealment of criminal history is grounds for immediate cancellation and removal. A formal letter from the Home Office instructed Butt to leave without delay, and by dawn, he was on a flight to Islamabad, accompanied by Naniwala, who holds British citizenship and was released without charges. Eyewitness accounts from the airport described a subdued Butt, phone in hand, possibly live-streaming his departure to his followers—a classic move for a vlogger who’s turned personal drama into content gold.
This isn’t Butt’s first brush with controversy. Just weeks ago, he sparked outrage with a TikTok Live where he made belittling comments about his wife, Emaan Fatima, joking that she “didn’t even have a passport” before he got her one. The clip went viral, drawing flak for being insensitive, especially since the couple’s marriage has been rocky, with public spats and rumors of infidelity. Emaan, who recently gave birth to their son Kivan in Pakistan, has stayed behind while Butt vlogged from abroad. Fans speculated he was dodging family duties, but now, with his UK stint over, reunion seems inevitable—though under far from ideal circumstances.
Why Did This Happen? Unpacking the Visa Violations and Backstory
At the heart of Butt’s deportation is a simple but severe breach: lying by omission on his visa form. When applying for his three-year visitor visa last year, Butt glossed over—or outright hid—several FIRs (First Information Reports) filed against him in Pakistan. These aren’t minor traffic tickets; we’re talking serious accusations that could land him in hot water.
The big one? Promoting illegal online betting and gambling apps. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) slapped him with charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for endorsing platforms that lured thousands into financial ruin. As a brand ambassador, Butt allegedly pocketed fat fees for sponsored videos urging viewers to “invest” in these apps, leading to complaints from victims who lost savings. Despite summonses, he skipped court appearances, fueling claims he was using the UK as a safe haven.
Then there’s the blasphemy angle—a powder keg in Pakistan. A petition in the Lahore High Court accuses Butt of disrespecting Islamic figures in his content, including a video where he allegedly mocked religious sentiments. This stems from his earlier “Samiya Hijab” scandal, where he was trolled for a skit involving a hijab-wearing character that some deemed offensive. Religious hardliners piled on, demanding his arrest, and the case lingers unresolved.
UK officials got wind of these via shared intel from Pakistani authorities, who had flagged Butt’s name. What started as a terrorism probe (prompted by anonymous complaints, possibly from rivals in the cutthroat YouTube scene) snowballed into a full visa audit. MI6 agents grilled Butt and Naniwala for hours, but once cleared of extremism, the focus shifted to immigration fraud. “Concealment of ongoing legal matters is a major breach,” one report noted, echoing the Home Office’s stance.
Butt’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Ashfaq Mian, pushes back hard. In a fiery X post, he insisted, “Rajab Butt has NOT been deported from UK. I represent him… He has left the UK on his own independent choice.” Ashfaq claims Butt voluntarily returned to surrender in court, armed with protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that shields him from arrest on arrival. This bail, granted just hours before his flight, ensures no immediate handcuffs at the airport—a smart legal play to buy time. Still, with a passport now stamped “deportation,” re-entering the UK looks like a long shot. Ashfaq hinted at an appeal in London courts, but experts say success rates for such cases hover around 20%, especially with Pakistan’s cases in play.
| Key Legal Cases Against Rajab Butt | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Promoting Illegal Betting Apps | Endorsed gambling platforms via sponsored content, leading to victim losses; charged under PECA by FIA/NCCIA. | FIR registered; multiple summons ignored; court appearance scheduled for Dec 10, 2025. |
| Blasphemy Petition | Accused of disrespecting Islamic figures in videos; tied to “Samiya Hijab” controversy. | Pending in Lahore High Court; public outcry ongoing. |
| Family Dispute Remarks | Insulting comments about wife Emaan Fatima on TikTok Live. | No formal charges, but social backlash; strains marriage amid son’s recent birth. |
Social Media Storm: Fans, Haters, and the Echo Chamber
No story about a Pakistani YouTuber is complete without the X (formerly Twitter) frenzy, and this one’s exploding. As news broke, #RajabButt trended nationwide, racking up over 50,000 mentions in 24 hours. Supporters rallied with prayers and “justice for Rajab” hashtags, pointing to his rags-to-riches tale—from a small-town kid to a digital mogul—as proof he’s just a victim of envy. One viral post from influencer Syed Zawar Jami read: “BREAKING: Pakistan ka mashhoor YouTuber Rajab Butt ko UK se DEPORT kar diya gaya! Visa cancel… Bari khabar trend par!” It garnered thousands of likes, with replies flooding in about “haters finally winning.”
Critics, though, are merciless. Comments like “He was not taking his wife with him, now his visa is cancelled and has a deportation history on the passport” reflect schadenfreude over his family woes. Others tied it to broader influencer accountability: “If Ducky [another YouTuber] faced so much, he also deserves the same.” Reviewit.pk captured the split, quoting fans who called it “the lowest of humanity” to cheer injustice, while others popped champagne emojis. UK-based journalist Farid Ahmed Qureshi confirmed the Home Office docs, tweeting: “That is correct… his visa is cancelled and he left uk voluntarily,” adding fuel to the voluntary-return debate.
Geo News’ UK correspondent Murtaza Ali Shah shared an exclusive clip of Butt and Naniwala boarding the plane, captioning it: “After my exclusive reveal… Rajab and his friend Nadim Naniwala inside the plane to Pakistan.” The video, showing a weary Butt, has over 28,000 views, turning the deportation into real-time theater. Meanwhile, Capital TV aired a breaking segment: “YouTuber Rajab Butt Deported from UK,” complete with airport footage.
What’s Next for Rajab Butt? Court Dates, Comebacks, and Redemption Arcs
Back in Pakistan, Butt’s plate is full. He surrendered to the IHC yesterday, securing bail that bars arrests until hearings wrap up. Today, December 10, he’s due in court for the betting case—expect a media circus with cameras flashing as he faces prosecutors. If convicted, fines or jail time loom, potentially derailing his vlogging career. The blasphemy petition could drag on for months, testing his knack for PR spins.
On a personal front, reconciliation with Emaan and meeting baby Kivan might steal headlines. Will he pivot to “humbled dad” content, or double down on luxury vlogs from Lahore? His team hints at a UK appeal, but with a deportation mark, that’s uphill. Industry watchers predict a temporary YouTube hiatus— he’s already paused vlogs amid the drama—but influencers like him bounce back. Think Ducky Bhai’s comeback after his own scandals; Butt’s 2.7 million Instagram followers won’t vanish overnight.
This saga underscores the double-edged sword of fame in the digital age: one viral video can build an empire, but one hidden truth can topple it. As Butt navigates Pakistani courts and public opinion, one thing’s clear—his story’s far from over. Stay tuned; in the world of YouTube drama, the next plot twist is just a post away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Was Rajab Butt officially deported from the UK?
Yes, his UK visa was cancelled by the Home Office due to non-disclosure of pending criminal cases in Pakistan. He was issued a deportation notice and left the country on December 9, 2025. While his lawyer claims he left “voluntarily,” official documents and multiple news outlets confirm the visa cancellation and removal process.
Why was Rajab Butt’s visa cancelled?
He failed to declare multiple ongoing criminal cases in Pakistan when applying for his visa, including FIRs for promoting illegal online betting/gambling apps and a separate blasphemy-related petition in the Lahore High Court. Concealing a criminal history is a serious breach of UK immigration rules.
Will Rajab Butt be arrested as soon as he lands in Pakistan?
No. He obtained protective (pre-arrest) bail from the Islamabad High Court before returning, which prevents immediate arrest upon arrival. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 10, 2025, for the betting/gambling case.
Can Rajab Butt return to the UK in the future?
Highly unlikely in the near future. With a deportation record and visa cancellation on his file, any new UK visa application would face extreme scrutiny and is likely to be refused unless the underlying Pakistani cases are fully resolved and successfully appealed in a UK immigration tribunal.
What are the main cases pending against him in Pakistan?
Promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms (FIA cybercrime case under PECA).
Blasphemy-related allegations stemming from past videos (petition pending in Lahore High Court). Several victims of the betting apps have also filed complaints leading to additional FIRs.
