A judicial magistrate in Lahore on Wednesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcaster and YouTuber Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy and electronic crime laws. He was presented before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo after being arrested at Lahore Airport upon his return from abroad.
According to the FIR registered on June 25, the case stems from a podcast in which Rehan Tariq and a religious scholar discussed sensitive sectarian issues. Authorities alleged that the discussion sparked controversy among followers of different sects, leading to the registration of the case.
The FIR includes charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for alleged hate speech, as well as several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, and deliberately hurting religious sentiments.
During the court hearing, the NCCIA informed the magistrate that further investigation was required and requested physical custody of the suspect. The court approved a six-day physical remand and directed the agency to present Rehan Tariq again after the remand period expires.
The case comes amid an ongoing crackdown on online content. Earlier this year, the NCCIA also arrested several social media activists in Punjab over allegations of spreading anti-state propaganda and inciting unrest.
