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Canadian Doctoral Student Seeks Bail After Arrest in Lahore Cybercrime Case
Canadian researcher Hamza Ahmed Khan seeks bail after cybercrime arrest in Lahore; court asks NCCIA to submit case record. Questions raised over legality of investigation.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-25
Canadian Doctoral Student Seeks Bail After Arrest in Lahore Cybercrime Case

A judicial magistrate at a district court in Lahore has issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) while hearing the bail petition of Canadian doctoral researcher Hamza Ahmed Khan, who was recently arrested in a cybercrime case.

Khan had gone missing last week, prompting the registration of a first information report (FIR). He resurfaced in NCCIA custody on Monday and was sent to jail on judicial remand before filing for post-arrest bail.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Advocate Asad Jamal represented Khan and the magistrate directed the NCCIA investigating officer to submit the full record of the case by Thursday.

In his petition, Khan alleged that he was abducted on the night of February 18–19 while travelling in a cab in Lahore. He claimed that the FIR, registered a day later on February 21 by the FIA’s cybercrime wing, was filed with “malafide intentions” to conceal the alleged abduction.

The bail petition raised concerns over the legality and transparency of the investigation, noting that no direct or corroborative evidence linked Khan to the alleged cyber offences.

The NCCIA registered the case against Khan under sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person), 24 (cyberstalking), and 26A (spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA). According to the FIR, Khan allegedly uploaded derogatory posts targeting state functionaries and institutions, intending to harm reputations, incite hatred, and undermine the integrity of the state.

The case has sparked debate over cybercrime enforcement procedures and the legal protections available to individuals under investigation, especially foreign nationals pursuing academic work in Pakistan.

The court will review the submitted case records in the coming days to decide on Khan’s bail petition.
Tagged:

Lahore

CyberCrime

PECA

InternationalStudent
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