ISLAMABAD: A duty judge on Friday rejected the request for physical remand a mediaperson arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), and sent him to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood announced the decision after reserving the verdict following arguments from both sides. Mediaperson Fakhar Rehman 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 contended the allegations of spreading false information against government officials and state institutions were vague and that Fakhar’s role had not been clearly established.
He argued that the journalist merely quoted statements made by a religious scholar and reported them without personal commentary. The defence also questioned whether authorities had taken action against the original speaker or others, who shared the same video content online. Kharkhar maintained that Fakhar had cooperated with investigators, responded to the NCIA notice, and denied spreading false information.
Fakhar’s lawyer further informed the court that his client’s mobile phone had already been seized and no additional recovery was pending, urging the court to dismiss the case. After hearing both sides, the court declined the NCIA’s request for physical remand and ordered that Fakhar be sent to jail on judicial remand pending further proceedings.
