KARACHI: A Karachi city court on Saturday approved the bail application of media personality Iqrarul Hassan in a case involving allegations of disseminating anti-state content on social media.
The court ordered his release against surety bonds of Rs200,000. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has submitted a charge sheet, while the forensic report on Hassan’s seized devices is still awaited.
Remand and Bail
Hassan was handed over to the NCCIA on a four-day physical remand on October 13. On October 15, the District and Sessions Court East rejected a petition challenging his physical remand, with his defence counsel questioning the legality of the proceedings and arguing that the case involved digital and cyber matters.
His physical remand was extended by another two days on October 16.
According to Advocate Ahmad Masood, the charge sheet has been submitted and Hassan’s mobile devices have been taken into custody.
The NCCIA has stated that no further investigation against Hassan is required, although the forensic report remains pending.
Allegations in FIR
According to the first information report (FIR), Hassan allegedly used his accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook to disseminate content described by investigators as false, fabricated, anti-state and defamatory.
The FIR alleges that the posts were intended to provoke the public against the state, its institutions and government officials.
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It further claims that the content presented the state and its institutions in a false or distorted manner and portrayed lawful measures as controversial to incite public opposition.
Investigators also alleged that Hassan used his social media following to spread the content publicly, reaching audiences in Pakistan and abroad.
These allegations remain claims recorded in the FIR and are not, by themselves, proof of guilt.
Wife’s Account
Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, told The Express Tribune on October 12 that a group of unidentified individuals claiming to be NCCIA officials had allegedly taken him from their residence in Lahore’s Defence C area.
According to Farah, between five and seven people, including women, arrived at the house late on Sunday night, during the intervening hours of Sunday and Monday, and asked Hassan to come outside.
She alleged that the individuals threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. They then entered the house, forcibly took Hassan from a room and took him away.
The court’s bail decision allows Hassan to be released subject to the required surety bonds, while the forensic report remains outstanding.
