On October 19, a judicial magistrate rejected the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) request to extend anchorperson Iqrar ul Hassan’s physical remand in a case involving the alleged dissemination of anti-state content on social media, sending him to jail on judicial remand.

The NCCIA sought an additional eight days for interrogation and forensic analysis of seized digital devices after completing a two-day physical remand. The agency alleged that Hassan shared false, defamatory and anti-state information through his social media accounts.

During the hearing, Judicial Magistrate (East) Gulraiz Memon heard arguments from the NCCIA and Hassan’s defence counsel, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq. The agency cited pending forensic analysis and records from other departments, including the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The defence argued that investigators already had the necessary devices and had shown insufficient progress to justify further custody.

The magistrate ruled that the NCCIA had not provided sufficient grounds for extending physical remand, observing that the agency had already been given adequate time for interrogation. He remanded Hassan to judicial custody until October 26 and directed the investigation officer to submit an interim charge sheet.

The court also issued a notice to the NCCIA on Hassan’s post-arrest bail application and scheduled its hearing for October 21.