LAHORE: On Wednesday, a judicial magistrate granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six‑day physical remand for podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case filed under blasphemy and electronic crime statutes.
The NCCIA filed a first information report (FIR) against YouTuber Tariq on June 25 following a podcast he hosted with a religious scholar. The discussion covered highly sensitive and controversial sectarian matters, leading to unrest among adherents of various sects.
The FIR includes charges under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (hate speech), Section 153‑A (spreading hatred or promoting enmity between groups), Section 295‑A (outraging religious feelings), and Section 298 (uttering words or gestures with intent to wound religious feelings) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
During the hearing, the NCCIA presented Tariq before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo at the district court.
The investigating officer informed the magistrate that Tariq was apprehended at Lahore Airport shortly after his return from abroad.
The officer requested a physical remand to continue the investigation.
After considering the request, the magistrate granted a six‑day physical remand.
The magistrate instructed the NCCIA to bring Tariq back when the remand period ends.
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