KARACHI: A judicial magistrate in Karachi on Tuesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) four-day physical remand of journalist Iqrarul Hassan in a case involving allegations of disseminating anti-state content through social media.
The agency produced Hassan before the Judicial Magistrate (East) at the city court and requested a 14-day physical remand, arguing that investigators needed time to question him in connection with the case. The court approved four days instead.
According to the first information report (FIR), the case was registered by NCCIA Inspector Muhammad Ali Khan under Sections 9, 10, 20, 24 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
The allegations concern content Hassan allegedly published through his personal accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook. The allegations have not been established by a court.
What the NCCIA FIR Alleges
The FIR alleges that Hassan deliberately shared false, fabricated and defamatory material against the state, its institutions and public officials, with the intention of provoking public hostility.
According to the report, the content portrayed state institutions and their officials in what the complainant described as a false and distorted manner.
The FIR further alleges that Hassan presented lawful government measures as controversial to instigate and incite the public against the state and its legally constituted authorities.
It also claims that the journalist used his social media following to disseminate the material publicly, allowing it to reach audiences in Pakistan and abroad.
The FIR states that Assistant Director Rana Muhammad Faisal Munir will investigate the case.
These claims form the basis of the investigation and should not be treated as proven findings.
Court Asks Journalist About Alleged Torture
During the hearing, the magistrate asked Hassan whether he had been subjected to torture while in custody.
The journalist replied that he had not been beaten. When asked whether he had legal representation, he said he had not yet hired a lawyer.
The NCCIA sought 14 days of physical remand for further interrogation, but the court granted four days.
The journalist will remain in the agency’s custody for the period authorised by the court, subject to any subsequent judicial order.
Pakistani TV Host Iqrar-ul-Hassan Opens Up About Life with Three Wives
Wife Previously Reported Alleged Abduction From Lahore Home
Hassan’s court appearance followed reports of his disappearance from his residence in Lahore’s Defence C area.
His wife, Farah Iqrar, previously told The Express Tribune that a group of unidentified individuals claiming to be NCCIA officials had taken him away from their home late on Sunday night.
According to Farah, between five and seven people, including women, arrived at the residence during the intervening hours of Sunday and Monday and demanded that Hassan come outside.
She alleged that the group threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. The individuals subsequently entered the house, took the journalist from a room and removed him from the premises.
Farah said she contacted the relevant agency office to inquire about her husband’s whereabouts but received no response.
She also said an application concerning his alleged abduction was submitted to the Defence C police station at around 6am, after which police issued a diary number.
According to her account, she later approached the relevant authorities to register a computerised FIR online but was told that the network was not working.
These allegations preceded the NCCIA’s production of Hassan before the Karachi court.
Punjab Minister Says Police Had Not Arrested Hassan
A day before the court proceedings, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said Punjab Police had not arrested Hassan.
She said investigations into the matter were underway and that his family would be informed once verified information about his whereabouts became available.
Her statement followed Farah’s account of the journalist’s alleged removal from his Lahore residence by unidentified individuals.
Hassan’s subsequent appearance before the Karachi court and the NCCIA’s request for physical remand marked a new development in the case.
Social Media Post Before Reported Incident
Hours before the reported incident at his residence, Hassan had posted a message on X criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party and referring to Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident, the allegations contained in the FIR and the investigation into Hassan’s social media activity remain central to the case.
The four-day physical remand will allow the NCCIA to continue its investigation under the court’s authorisation. Any determination of criminal liability will depend on the evidence presented through the legal process.
