LAHORE — A Canadian national pursuing doctoral research, who was reported missing last week, has surfaced in the custody of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Authorities produced Hamza Ahmad Khan before a magistrate on Monday, who remanded him to jail for 14 days on judicial remand.
Earlier, police had registered a kidnapping case on the complaint of his friend after he went missing in the early hours of February 19. According to the first information report lodged at the Defence-A police station, Hamza left his residence in DHA Phase 10 and did not return.
Cybercrime Allegations Surface
On Monday, officials confirmed that the NCCIA had taken Hamza into custody over alleged anti-state activity on social media platforms X and Instagram. In a separate FIR, the agency stated that routine cyber patrols identified accounts linked to him that were “disseminating misinformation and disinformation targeting state institutions.”
The case was registered under Sections 20, 24, and 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, covering offences against dignity, cyber stalking, and spoofing.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
According to the FIR, investigators found that the posts were publicly accessible and allegedly inflammatory in nature. The agency claimed the content aimed to incite unrest, spread animosity, and damage the reputation of state institutions domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, the NCCIA alleged that Hamza intentionally uploaded derogatory material targeting state functionaries and constitutional leadership. Officials argued that such content could have serious national and international repercussions.
Meanwhile, the kidnapping complaint remains part of the police record as legal proceedings continue.
