Islamabad, April 25, 2026: A local court on Saturday rejected the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) request for physical remand of journalist Fakharur Rehman and instead sent him to jail on judicial remand in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The journalist was arrested a day earlier on allegations of sharing “false and misleading information” against state institutions on the social media platform X, according to an FIR dated April 20.
Rehman was produced before District Magistrate Yasir Mahmood on Saturday.
During the hearing, defence counsel Ahad Khokhar argued that the prosecution had failed to clearly establish Rehman’s individual role in the alleged offence. He maintained that the journalist had merely shared statements made by a religious scholar and had not added any personal commentary.
The defence further questioned why action had not been taken against the original speaker, noting that the same content had been widely shared by thousands of social media users.
Khokhar also informed the court that Rehman had already responded to an NCCIA notice issued on April 14 and had fully cooperated with investigators. He argued that the journalist’s mobile phone had already been seized and no further recovery was required, requesting his release from the case.
On the other hand, the NCCIA prosecutor argued that the accused had admitted ownership of the post but had not provided the password to his mobile device, claiming further forensic examination was necessary and seeking physical remand.
The court, after hearing both sides, rejected the request and ordered judicial remand.
The FIR was registered under Sections 20 and 26-A of PECA, alleging the dissemination of false information that could incite fear, panic, and disorder.
It also names several other journalists and political commentators, including Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Jibran Ilyas, Rizwan Ahmed Khan, Syed Haider Raza Mehdi, Adil Farooq Raja, and Aqil Hussain.
The FIR alleges that the accused individuals “malafidely disseminated misleading information” aimed at undermining state institutions.
The case comes amid continued controversy over PECA, which was amended in January 2025 despite strong opposition from media organisations.
Earlier this month, journalists and media representatives in Karachi described the law as a “black law,” alleging it is being used to restrict press freedom and silence dissent.
Meanwhile, parliamentary committees have also raised concerns over increasing PECA-related cases, with discussions underway on reviewing its implementation and legal scope.
