Rehan Tariq | Pakistan

LAHORE: A sessions court on Tuesday granted post-arrest bail to podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under the blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca). The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had registered the case and arrested the YouTuber at Lahore’s international airport upon his arrival from abroad. Advocate Mian Dawood, representing the petitioner, argued that the prosecution had failed to produce any evidence linking his client to the alleged social media uploads. He argued that conducting an interview and asking questions on historical or religious matters was a constitutionally protected journalistic function. The counsel further said the FIR did not specify which questions were allegedly objectionable. He also submitted that opinions obtained from prominent religious scholars stated that the questions did not amount to disrespecting any revered Islamic personality. The counsel argued that the petitioner was entitled to bail because the prosecuti...

LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Thursday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a first information report (FIR) against the YouTuber on June 25, after he conducted a podcast with a religious scholar and discussed highly sensitive and controversial sectarian issues, sparking controversy among followers of different sects. The NCCIA had arrested the Youtuber from Lahore’s international airport upon his arrival from abroad. On Tuesday, he was sent on judicial remand by a magistrate. Advocate Mian Dawood argued before the magistrate on behalf of the petitioner, saying that the prosecution had failed to produce any evidence linking his client to the alleged social media uploads. He argued that conducting an interview and asking questions on historical or religious matters were constitutionally protected journalistic functions. He furt...