LAHORE – A Lahore court sent news anchor and podcaster Rehan Tariq to jail on judicial remand after investigators informed the court that his physical custody was no longer required in a blasphemy-related case.
The hearing was conducted before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo at the District Courts Lahore. During the proceedings, the investigating officer told the court that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had completed the phase of investigation requiring physical remand. Accepting the request, the magistrate ordered Tariq’s transfer to jail on judicial remand.
While hearing the matter, Magistrate Wattoo observed that discussions involving religion demand both adequate religious knowledge and extreme caution, highlighting the sensitivity of such subjects. The controversial host was brought to court under strict security arrangements, where investigators also submitted the latest progress report in the case.
He was arrested at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore after arriving from London. According to investigators, immigration officials detained him after his name appeared on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). Authorities said an FIR had already been registered against him by the NCCIA before his return to Pakistan.
The case is related to apodcast featuring religious scholar in which highly sensitive and controversial sectarian issues were discussed. According to the FIR, the conversation triggered controversy among followers of different religious sects, prompting legal action by the cybercrime agency.
FIR was registered on June 25 on the complaint of NCCIA Deputy Director Rizwan Sabir. Rehan Tariq has been booked under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, relating to hate speech, along with Sections 153-A, 295-A, and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with promoting enmity between groups, outraging religious feelings, and intentionally using words or gestures to offend religious sentiments.
