Karachi: A judicial magistrate on Saturday, October 17, extended anchorperson and Awam Raj Tehreek chief Iqrar ul Hassan’s physical remand in National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) custody by two days in a case concerning allegedly unlawful social media content.

The judicial magistrate East also rejected a defence application and directed the agency to present an investigation report at the next hearing. Hassan appeared before the court following an initial four day remand.

During Saturday’s proceedings, defence counsel questioned the manner of his arrest in Lahore and subsequent transfer to Karachi, arguing that the required procedure, including obtaining transit remand, had not been followed.

The defence maintained that a video lasting two minutes and 12 seconds contained constitutionally protected political commentary. Counsel argued that expressing opposition to governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not constitute a crime.

Hassan faces a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The FIR alleges that posts on his social media accounts contained false and defamatory material intended to incite the public against state institutions and officials. These remain prosecution allegations.

A separate challenge to his original remand was dismissed by the District and Sessions Court East on Thursday, October 15. At that hearing, lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq questioned the basis of the FIR and submitted a transcript of the disputed video, maintaining that Hassan’s remarks were lawful.

During earlier proceedings, defence lawyers said electronic devices were already in the agency’s possession and questioned the need for continued physical custody. The investigating officer argued that analysis of the recovered data required further remand.

Hassan was taken into custody from his Lahore residence on October 12 and subsequently transferred to Karachi.