LAHORE (MNN); A judicial magistrate on Wednesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcast host Rehan Tariq in connection with a case registered under blasphemy-related provisions and cybercrime laws.
According to the investigation agency, the case was registered on June 25 after Tariq hosted a podcast featuring a religious scholar in which sensitive and controversial sectarian issues were discussed. Authorities alleged that the content sparked controversy among followers of different sects.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, relating to hate speech, along with Sections 153-A, 295-A, and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious sentiments, and deliberately hurting religious feelings.
During proceedings at the district courts, the NCCIA produced the accused before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo after arresting him at Lahore Airport upon his arrival from abroad.
The investigating officer requested physical custody for further interrogation, arguing that additional investigation was required.
Accepting the request, the magistrate granted a six-day physical remand and directed the NCCIA to present the accused before the court again after the remand period expires.
Earlier this year, in May, the NCCIA arrested 11 social media activists across various cities in Punjab on allegations of spreading anti-state propaganda and inciting public unrest.
