ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday granted a two-day physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Information Secretary Rauf Hasan to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with his alleged role in spreading anti-state propaganda.

The FIA prosecutor, presenting Hasan before the court, requested the remand to recover devices purportedly used for this propaganda.

Hasan had been detained by Islamabad Police from the PTI’s Central Secretariat the previous day for his alleged involvement in running a digital media cell engaged in anti-Pakistan activities.

The police described the PTI digital media center as a hub of international disinformation targeting Pakistan.

Initial reports incorrectly stated that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan was also arrested, but authorities later clarified that only Hasan was detained during the raid.

The arrest provoked a strong response from PTI, with Chairman Gohar condemning the move. Accompanied by National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, Gohar pledged to use all available resources to secure Hasan’s release.

Notably, Hasan was previously attacked by four individuals in May, with CCTV footage capturing the incident.

During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor argued for a 10-day physical remand, though Hasan’s lawyer Latif Khosa opposed this, questioning the necessity and lack of evidence. Defense counsel Bukhari also challenged the remand request, pointing out the absence of incriminating evidence against Hasan.

The court ultimately granted a two-day physical remand for Hasan and other PTI workers, while two female PTI members received a 14-day judicial remand.

The FIA’s FIR, based on an investigation involving PTI activist Ahmad Waqas Janjua, accused Hasan and other party members of anti-state propaganda under sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.

The suspects included Hasan, Waqas, Afaq Ahmed Alvi, Hameedullah, Rashid Mahmood, Zeeshan Farooq, Syed Osama, Mohammad Rizwan Afzal, Mohammad Rafiq, Syed Hamza, Farhat Khalid, and Iqra.

The FIR alleged that the media cell, led by Hasan, aimed to undermine Pakistan’s integrity and law and order, with members taking daily instructions from Hasan to incite opposition to the state and army through fake social media accounts and online campaigns.

The FIR also accused the media cell of launching slanderous campaigns following terrorist incidents to blame government and law enforcement policies.