Maps
Magazine

LEGAL

Canadian Doctoral Student Arrested in Pakistan Over Alleged Anti-State Social Media Posts
Lahore police and NCCIA take Canadian doctoral student Hamza Ahmad Khan into custody over alleged anti-state posts on X and Instagram. Judicial remand extended for 14 days.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-23
Canadian Doctoral Student Arrested in Pakistan Over Alleged Anti-State Social Media Posts

A Canadian national pursuing doctoral research, Hamza Ahmad Khan, who went missing last week, has been produced in court after being taken into custody by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). On Monday, a magistrate sent him to jail on 14-day judicial remand.

Hamza was reported missing on February 19 after leaving his residence in DHA Phase 10. A kidnapping case was filed by a friend at the Defence-A police station. However, authorities later revealed that Hamza was in NCCIA custody for allegedly posting anti-state content on social media platforms X and Instagram.

The FIR filed by NCCIA alleges that Hamza’s accounts were disseminating misinformation targeting state institutions. The case cites sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person), 24 (cyber stalking), and 26A (spoofing) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.

According to the FIR, Hamza’s posts were “inflamatory,” intended to incite public unrest, harm the reputation of state functionaries, and undermine social order. NCCIA stated that the content posed “significant risk” to Pakistan’s reputation domestically and internationally.

“The suspect was posting derogatory content to defame and malign constitutional and political leadership of Pakistan, incite hatred, and undermine the integrity of the state,” the FIR read. The agency added that the actions could have “dire consequences nationally and internationally.”

Authorities continue to investigate the matter as the judicial remand allows further inquiry into the allegations against Hamza Ahmad Khan.
Tagged:

Pakistan

NCCIA

CyberCrime

HamzaAhmadKhan
Share News: