Karachi Court Grants NCCIA Four-Day Physical Remand of Iqrar-ul-Hassan in PECA Case Over Alleged Social Media Posts
KARACHI: Television anchor and Awam Raj Tehreek chief Iqrar-ul-Hassan was produced before a court in Karachi on Tuesday, where the court granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) four days of physical remand. The NCCIA had asked the court for fourteen days of physical custody, but the court did not accept that request in full and gave the agency four days to investigate. Iqrar-ul-Hassan was produced in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), relating to his alleged social media posts.
What the case alleges
According to officials, the case was registered over alleged posts made on social media, and the investigating agency wants to examine the content of those posts and the background to them. The NCCIA’s investigating officer told the court that physical remand was necessary for further questioning, verification of statements and checking of the record. On that basis, the agency sought fourteen days of custody, but the court fixed the remand period at four days and directed that Iqrar-ul-Hassan be produced again after the period ends.
The family’s account of the Lahore pickup
Iqrar-ul-Hassan’s family says he was taken into custody a day earlier from his home in Lahore, after which the family was not immediately able to get information about him. After the family’s statement, reports of his arrest emerged and the matter was also discussed on social media. He was later moved to Karachi and produced before the court there, where concerned persons were also present at the time of his appearance.
Earlier denials and the official clarification
Earlier, different statements had emerged from officials about the arrest, while at some levels his detention was also denied. However, a government clarification later confirmed his arrest and the case registered against him. Now that the court has granted four days of physical remand, the NCCIA will question him in connection with the case, and he will be produced before the court again when the remand period is complete.
