Journalist Bilal Ghauri Remanded for 2 Days in PECA Case

Key Takeaways

• Islamabad court extended journalist Bilal Ghauri's custody by two days under PECA.
• NCCIA investigated alleged false statements regarding NACTA's leadership appointment.
• Defense counsel argued all devices and account accesses were already secured.
• Investigators cited two-step verification issues while requesting additional remand time.
• Bilal Ghauri will be produced before the court again on September 12.

Court Extends Bilal Ghauri's Physical Remand

An Islamabad judicial magistrate extended the physical remand of journalist Bilal Ghauri for two additional days. The decision came following a court appearance after his initial three-day physical remand concluded.

Details of the PECA Investigation

According to reports initially published by Dawn News, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case on September 6 under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The prosecution alleges that Ghauri created and shared misleading content concerning the appointment of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) head.

Legal Arguments and Court Proceedings

During Thursday's hearing before Judicial Magistrate Malik Aman, the prosecution sought six more days of physical custody for further investigation.

• Defense Objection: Ghauri's attorney, Imran Shafiq, contested the request, noting that investigators already secured his client's mobile phone, laptop, and social media account credentials.
• Prosecution Stance: The investigating officer informed the court that two-step verification enabled on Ghauri's accounts hindered access for the investigation team.

After evaluating the arguments, the court granted a two-day extension and ordered the NCCIA to re-produce Ghauri in court on September 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was journalist Bilal Ghauri remanded by NCCIA?

He was remanded under PECA for allegedly sharing false information about NACTA's head appointment.

How long is Bilal Ghauri's extended custody?

An Islamabad court extended his physical remand by two days until September 12.

What law is applied in Bilal Ghauri's case?

The case was registered under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Originally reported by Dawn News. Enhanced and optimized for search by TechVeb.