These allegations have been cited in the case against the journalist.

KARACHI: A Karachi court on Saturday extended journalist Iqrarul Hassan’s physical remand by two days in a case involving allegations of disseminating anti-state content and harming state and national integrity.

The judicial magistrate (East) also rejected an application filed by Hassan’s lawyers and directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to submit a report at the next hearing.

Last week, the NCCIA produced Hassan before the judicial magistrate, who granted the agency four days of physical remand. On Thursday, the District and Sessions Court East dismissed a petition challenging the remand.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel questioned the legality of the process, arguing that the case involved digital and cyber-related matters.

Charges Against Iqrarul Hassan

The case was registered under Sections 9, 10, 20, 24 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

According to the first information report (FIR), Hassan allegedly used his personal accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook to disseminate what investigators described as false, fabricated, anti-state and defamatory content.

The FIR alleged that the posts were intended to provoke the public against the state, its institutions and government officials.

It further claimed that the journalist portrayed state institutions and their functionaries in a false and distorted manner and presented lawful measures as controversial to incite public opposition against the authorities.

The FIR also alleged that Hassan’s social media following enabled the content to reach a wide audience in Pakistan and abroad because the posts were publicly accessible.

These allegations have been cited in the case against the journalist.

Hassan’s Family Raises Questions Over His Arrest

Earlier, Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, said that unidentified individuals claiming to be NCCIA officials had taken him away from their residence in Lahore’s Defence C area.

Speaking on October 12, she alleged that 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.

According to Farah, the individuals threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. She alleged that they subsequently entered the house, took Hassan from a room by force and left with him.

The circumstances surrounding his reported removal from the residence prompted questions about the identities of the individuals involved and the procedure followed.

Punjab Government Says Police Did Not Arrest Journalist

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari subsequently said that 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.

Hours before the reported incident, Hassan had published a post on X criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party and referring to Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The court has now extended his physical remand by two days and directed the NCCIA to present a report at the next hearing. The allegations against Hassan remain allegations in the ongoing legal proceedings.