Rehan Tariq faces six-day remand in blasphemy case

A Lahore court on Wednesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcaster and news anchor

A Lahore court on Wednesday granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcaster and news anchor Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy and cybercrime laws.

Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo handed over Tariq to investigators and directed them to present him before the court again after the completion of the remand period. The court also ordered the submission of a progress report at the next hearing.

According to the prosecution, the case was registered on a complaint filed by Cyber Crime Deputy Director Rizwan Sabir under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Investigators told the court that Tariq was arrested by officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and NCCIA after he arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport from the United Kingdom.

Authorities said his name had already been placed on the no-fly list, leading to his detention at the airport.

The investigation team informed the court that complaints had been received from religious groups regarding alleged controversial content in his podcasts, including an interview with religious scholar Jawad Naqvi.

Officials requested a seven-day physical remand, stating that more time was needed to examine his digital accounts, recover electronic evidence, seize devices and obtain original recordings related to the case.

The court, however, approved a six-day remand and ordered investigators to present Tariq again after the period ends.

Tariq was brought to the court under strict security arrangements. As he stepped out of the police vehicle, he and some supporters raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad.”