Rehan Tariq Granted Post-Arrest Bail in PECA and Blasphemy-Related Case
- Podcast host Rehan Tariq was arrested by the NCCIA after returning to Pakistan from the United Kingdom.
- The case was registered under PECA and several Pakistan Penal Code provisions related to alleged blasphemy and sectarian content.
- After an initial bail rejection, a sessions court granted him post-arrest bail.
- The court noted that the investigation had been completed and that it could not, at the bail stage, conclude that his questions were asked with malicious intent.
Podcast host and YouTuber Rehan Tariq was granted post-arrest bail by a Lahore sessions court after being arrested in connection with a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to alleged blasphemy and sectarian content.
The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on June 25. According to the FIR, the case stemmed from a podcast featuring a religious scholar in which sensitive sectarian issues were discussed. Investigators alleged that the content could promote religious hatred and create sectarian tensions. The FIR includes Section 11 of PECA, along with Sections 153-A, 295-A and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Also Read:
Rehan Tariq was arrested at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport after returning from the United Kingdom. Following his arrest, a judicial magistrate granted the NCCIA six days of physical remand to conduct its investigation.
After the remand period ended, the NCCIA informed the court that Rehan Tariq was no longer required for further physical custody. He was subsequently sent to judicial remand for 14 days while legal proceedings continued.
His legal team argued that the prosecution had failed to establish any criminal intent and maintained that asking questions during an interview on religious and historical topics falls within the scope of journalistic activity. The defence further argued that there was no evidence to suggest he had deliberately attempted to incite hatred or commit any offence.
ریحان طارق, رہائی کے بعد پہلی بار مناظر عام پر!!
— ZEShan ⚫ (@zeshmohmand) July 24, 2026
بہرحال اب ریحان طارق پر نظر رکھنا لازمی ہے, کہہ جراثیم زدہ تو نہیں ہؤا کیوںکہ یہ ظالموں کے چنگل سے آیا ہے, اب دیکھتے کیا نظریہ رکھتے ہیں!! pic.twitter.com/vAKwDqKlXE
An initial post-arrest bail application was rejected by a judicial magistrate, who held that the allegations required further legal examination at that stage of the proceedings.
Rehan Tariq Se Mulaqat ❤️ | Release Ke Baad Ek Yaadgaar Mulaqat#RehanTariq #RehanTariqMeeting #Pakistan #Viral #Trending #TwitterPakistan pic.twitter.com/u5dzQuuhOn
— Muhammad Tayyab (@tayyab_ta21105) July 25, 2026
However, in a subsequent hearing, an additional district and sessions court granted Rehan Tariq post-arrest bail. While allowing the application, the court observed that, at the bail stage, it could not conclude that the questions asked by Rehan Tariq were motivated by mala fide or malicious intent. The court also noted that the investigation had been completed and that his continued detention was no longer necessary. He was ordered to be released after furnishing surety bonds of Rs100,000.
The case remains pending before the relevant court, and the allegations against Rehan Tariq have yet to be proven through trial.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
