Iqrarul Hassan granted bail in anti-state content case

KARACHI: A Karachi court on Saturday approved bail for television personality Iqrarul Hassan in a case involving allegations of spreading anti-state content on social media, ordering his release against surety bonds of Rs200,000.

The case was registered over allegations that Hassan used his social media accounts to circulate content that could undermine the state and its institutions.

Hassan was initially handed over to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on a four-day physical remand on October 13. On October 15, the District and Sessions Court East rejected a defence petition challenging his remand. His lawyers questioned the legality of the proceedings, arguing that the allegations fell within the domain of digital and cybercrime matters.

His physical remand was subsequently extended by another two days on October 16.

According to Advocate Ahmad Masood, the investigating agency had submitted a charge sheet against Hassan and seized his mobile devices as part of the investigation.

The NCCIA informed the court that it did not require further investigation involving Hassan. However, the forensic examination report of his devices was still awaited.

The first information report (FIR) accused Hassan of using his accounts on X, Instagram and Facebook to circulate allegedly fabricated and defamatory material against the state, its institutions and government officials.

It alleged that his posts presented state institutions and their actions in a misleading manner and sought to provoke public resentment against legally constituted authorities.

The FIR further claimed that Hassan had a substantial social media following and that his posts were publicly accessible, allowing the material to reach audiences across Pakistan and overseas.

Meanwhile, Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, had earlier alleged that unidentified individuals claiming to be NCCIA officials forcibly took him from their residence in Lahore.

She said five to seven people, including women, arrived at their Defence C residence late on Sunday night and demanded that Hassan come outside.

She alleged that the individuals threatened to break down the door before entering the house and taking Hassan away from a room by force.