Journalist Sent to Prison on Judicial Remand After Peca Arrest in Karachi
A judicial magistrate in Karachi has ordered journalist Muhammad Aslam Shah to prison on judicial remand, following his arrest under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2025. The move comes after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) apprehended Mr. Shah in connection with a case filed on December 29, 2025.
The complaint was lodged by Tabish Raza Husnain, reportedly an official with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). The FIR cites Sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person) and 24 (cyberstalking) of Peca.
This development was reported by sources close to SindhNews.com. On Wednesday, NCCIA officials presented Mr. Shah before a judicial magistrate in the South district. They sought 14 days of custody for interrogation purposes.
However, the investigating officer’s arguments reportedly failed to convince the court. Consequently, the magistrate denied the police custody request and instead remanded Mr. Shah into judicial custody.
The FIR details allege that the complainant, Mr. Husnain, accused Mr. Shah of conducting “defamation propaganda” against him and his superior, Colonel Anjum, on social media platforms. Accusations included the use of abusive language, causing distress and reputational damage.
The NCCIA stated that the complainant provided screenshots as evidence of the alleged content. The agency claims it issued multiple notices to Mr. Shah, asking him to appear and provide his statement. According to the NCCIA, Mr. Shah did not comply with these notices, exhibiting a “non-cooperative and evasive attitude.”
The magistrate’s decision to place the journalist on judicial remand signifies that the court is not yet satisfied with the evidence or the investigation to grant further police custody. The case will now proceed through judicial proceedings.