A Canadian student, Hamza Ahmed Khan, conducting research for his dissertation in Pakistan, has been denied bail. Khan, a dual Canadian-Pakistani national pursuing a PhD at the University of Toronto, was arrested by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency for alleged violations of Pakistan’s 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The agency accused Khan of spreading misinformation targeting state institutions on social media platforms.
Khan’s family expressed concern over his detention, stating that he had gone missing in February and has been held in Lahore district jail since February 21. The family’s lawyer, Asad Jamal, highlighted that the decision to deny bail was based on previous cases that do not align with Khan’s situation. The judicial magistrate emphasized the seriousness of allegations involving inflammatory content on social media, stating that such matters demand careful judicial consideration.
According to Khan’s brother, Awes Ahmed Khan, Hamza was using social media to share ideas with a small group of followers dedicated to free speech and discussion. Awes criticized the system for penalizing speech and ideas, emphasizing the importance of protecting individuals’ ability to express themselves freely. As the family seeks bail through legal channels, concerns remain about the outcome in the district court, with doubts raised about the success of their petition.
