LAHORE – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has reportedly taken Pakistani podcaster Rehan Tariq into custody at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, according to claims circulating on social media.
Several social media users have alleged that Tariq was detained by NCCIA officials after arriving from London, though the charges or reasons behind the reported action remain unclear.
A social media user claimed that Tariq was stopped at the airport after returning from London and was taken away by officials.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill also reacted to the reported detention, calling for Tariq’s immediate release. “Rehan Tariq should be immediately released. Let at least some voice be allowed to remain free,” Gill said.
In his last post on X, shared around 11 hours earlier, Tariq posted a statement attributed to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo that read: “Yes, this was my last World Cup, heading off today with a clear conscience: Ronaldo.”
جی ہاں، یہ میرا آخری ورلڈکپ تھا، آج مطمئن ضمیر کے ساتھ جا رہا ہوں: رونالڈو
— Rehan Tariq (@RehanTofficial) July 7, 2026
Neither the NCCIA nor Rehan Tariq’s family has officially confirmed his reported detention.
