It further claimed that the content was publicly accessible and reached audiences across Pakistan and abroad through his social media following.

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, ordering his release against surety bonds of Rs200,000.

Hassan was accused of harming the state’s reputation and national integrity through content published on his social media platforms.

Judicial Magistrate Karachi East Gulraiz Memon, while announcing the decision, observed that bail could not be withheld as a form of pre-trial punishment.

The court also noted that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had opposed the bail application without presenting extraordinary grounds to justify keeping the accused in custody.

Court Proceedings and Investigation

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 dismissed a petition challenging his physical remand. His defence counsel had questioned the legality of the proceedings, arguing that the case involved digital and cyber-related matters.

A day later, the court extended his physical remand by another two days.

According to Advocate Ahmad Masood, the investigating agency had submitted the charge sheet against Hassan, while his mobile devices had been taken into custody.

The NCCIA informed the court that no further investigation was required against him, although the forensic report was still awaited.

Details of the Case

According to the first information report (FIR), Hassan allegedly used his personal accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook to disseminate false, fabricated and defamatory content against the state, its institutions and officials.

The FIR alleged that his social media posts presented state institutions and their actions in a distorted manner and attempted to provoke public sentiment against the authorities.

It further claimed that the content was publicly accessible and reached audiences across Pakistan and abroad through his social media following.

Wife Alleges Unidentified Individuals Took Him Away

Earlier, Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, told The Express Tribune on October 12 that unidentified individuals posing as 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 and demanded that Hassan come outside.

She alleged that the individuals threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. They subsequently entered the house, took Hassan from a room by force and removed him from the residence.