Urdu Report Desk
A Karachi court has rejected the discharge plea of prominent television anchor and Awam Raj Tehreek chief Iqrar-ul-Hassan and extended his physical remand by two days in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Act 2025.
Iqrar was produced before a Judicial Magistrate East Karachi on Saturday, where the court ordered a further two-day extension of his physical remand.
Earlier, the District and Sessions Court East Karachi had dismissed the defence’s criminal revision petition challenging the initial four-day physical remand, as well as its request to discharge him from the case.
Arrest in Lahore
Iqrar-ul-Hassan was taken into custody at around 3am on the night of October 12 from his residence in DHA Phase 8, Lahore. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) team reportedly used personnel dressed in plain clothes during the operation.
Following his arrest, he was transferred to Karachi, where a judicial magistrate initially approved four days of physical remand.
A case against him has been registered under the PECA Amendment Act 2025 as Case No. 101/2026.
Defence Challenges Arrest Procedure
During the previous hearing before the court of Sessions Judge Arshad Murtaza, Iqrar’s lawyers, Mian Ali Ashfaq and Shahid Hussain Kurejo, questioned the legality of his arrest and detention.
The defence argued that the legal requirements for transferring him from Lahore, including obtaining transit remand, had not been fulfilled.
His lawyers also maintained that Iqrar had merely expressed his views on the political situation and the possibility of governor’s rule, which they described as a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.
Dispute Over Electronic Devices
The defence further argued that the NCCIA had already taken possession of Iqrar’s mobile phone and five other electronic devices, comprising four mobile phones and an iPad. The lawyers contended that continued physical custody was therefore unnecessary.
During the hearing, Iqrar’s wife, Farah Iqrar, also appeared at the rostrum and provided details about the circumstances and timing of his detention.
NCCIA Seeks Time to Analyse Data
NCCIA investigating officer Inspector Rana Muhammad Faisal Khan told the court that data recovered from the electronic devices was being analysed and that further physical remand was necessary to complete the investigation.
In its written order following the previous hearing, the court observed that the right to freedom of expression was subject to reasonable restrictions imposed under the law. It also held that the initial remand order had been issued in accordance with the law.
