Urdu Report Desk
A judicial magistrate in Karachi has remanded anchorperson Iqrar ul Hassan to the custody of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for four days in a case involving alleged dissemination of false and anti-state content on social media.
The investigating officer had requested 14 days of physical remand to complete the investigation, but the court approved four days. The magistrate directed the officer to produce Iqrar before the court again on October 17.
Iqrar was allegedly taken into custody from his residence in Lahore in the early hours of Monday. According to the investigating officer, he was arrested in the case on October 12 after being informed of the grounds for his arrest.
Allegations of Disseminating False Information
The NCCIA alleges that Iqrar intentionally shared false, fabricated, anti-state and defamatory content through his social media accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook.
According to the agency, the alleged objective was to incite the public against the state, its institutions and government functionaries.
The investigating officer also claimed that some posts presented state institutions and officials in a misleading manner, portrayed lawful measures as controversial and allegedly glorified convicted individuals in a way that could encourage public dissent.
The officer further alleged that the content threatened the federation’s integrity, unity and public order. These claims remain allegations and have not been established in court.
Case Registered Under Five PECA Provisions
An FIR, numbered 101/2026, was registered on October 10 under five provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
The provisions cited in the case are:
- Section 9: Glorification of an offence.
- Section 10: Cyber terrorism.
- Section 20: Offences against the dignity of a natural person.
- Section 24: Cyberstalking.
- Section 26-A: Punishment for false and fake information.
The NCCIA said its Karachi office initiated an inquiry on October 10 after receiving information from a source concerning Iqrar’s social media activity.
Investigation Focuses on Digital Devices and Social Media Accounts
The investigating officer told the court that Iqrar’s custody was required to recover mobile phones, laptops, other digital devices, SIM cards and storage media allegedly used to create, edit and publish the disputed content.
Investigators also intend to establish who controlled and operated the X, Instagram and Facebook accounts under investigation.
For this purpose, the agency plans to obtain information about associated email addresses, mobile numbers and account recovery details from service providers through official channels.
Investigators to Examine Possible Involvement of Others
The NCCIA also intends to identify any other individuals who may have assisted in producing, editing or distributing the disputed material.
According to the investigating officer, the inquiry could include content producers, editors, social media account managers and other facilitators. Action may be taken against anyone found to have been involved.
The agency also plans to examine whether the accounts generated revenue or other financial benefits and whether any financial transactions were connected to the alleged dissemination of the content.
Court Allows Meeting with Legal Team
During the hearing, the court approved Iqrar’s request to meet his legal team while in NCCIA custody so that he could sign a vakalatnama authorising legal representation.
However, the court directed that a separate application seeking permission for meetings with family members during physical remand should be submitted to the relevant magistrate.
When asked by the court, Iqrar did not complain of any mistreatment by NCCIA officials.
Investigation Continues
The four-day remand will allow investigators to pursue the recovery of digital devices, verify account ownership and examine the allegations and any possible financial links.
The case remains under investigation. The registration of an FIR and the granting of physical remand do not establish guilt, and the allegations against Iqrar ul Hassan remain unproven.
