ISLAMABAD: A duty judge on Friday rejected the request for physical remand of senior journalist Fakhar Rehman, who was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and instead sent him to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood announced the decision after reserving the verdict following arguments from both sides. Fakhar had been presented before the court by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCIA), which sought physical custody for further investigation.
The prosecution argued that Fakhar had admitted ownership of a tweet under investigation but had not provided the password to his mobile phone, adding that further examination of the tweets was required.
Defence counsel Ahad Kharkhar opposed the request, contending that the allegations of spreading false information against government officials and state institutions were vague.
