Missing Canadian PhD Researcher Traced to Cybercrime Custody Over Alleged “Anti-State” Content
By Tanveer Ahmed :
A Canadian doctoral researcher who went missing in Lahore last week has been located in custody of Pakistan’s cybercrime agency, which alleges he was involved in spreading anti-state propaganda on social media platforms.
Hamza Ahmad Khan, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, was presented before a judicial magistrate on Monday by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The court remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days pending further investigation.
The development unfolded just hours after Lahore police registered a kidnapping case based on a complaint filed by Khan’s friend, who reported him missing.
Disappearance Details
According to the initial police report, Khan was last seen in the early hours of February 19 after leaving his friend’s residence in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority Phase 10. He had booked a ride through a ride-hailing service before his disappearance, the complaint stated.
Friends and colleagues had expressed alarm over his sudden disappearance, prompting concerns from human rights organizations. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had previously urged authorities to determine his whereabouts.
Cybercrime Charges
The NCCIA subsequently registered a case against Khan, alleging that his accounts on X and Instagram were actively engaged in spreading misinformation targeting Pakistani state institutions. Agency officials stated that the content was identified during routine cyber monitoring operations.
The case was filed under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, including sections related to offences against the dignity of individuals, cyber stalking, and spoofing.
Investigators claim the material posted was inflammatory and appeared calculated to provoke public unrest, foster animosity, and disrupt social harmony. The agency contends that such content carries significant potential to damage Pakistan’s reputation both within the country and internationally.
The FIR alleges that Khan was uploading derogatory material aimed at state functionaries and institutions with the intent to harm their standing and undermine state integrity.
Academic Background
Khan had arrived in Pakistan on February 13 to conduct doctoral research, according to acquaintances familiar with his academic work. Those close to him describe his research as focusing on anti-imperialist political movements.
Prior to the NCCIA’s announcement, Lahore police had acknowledged being unable to trace Khan’s whereabouts, with investigators stating they had made little progress in determining what had happened to him.
Reactions
The case has drawn attention from political activists and opposition figures, with some characterizing the incident as an assault on academic freedom and dissent. An opposition alliance issued a statement emphasizing that the right to pursue scholarly research and express academic perspectives is fundamental in any democratic society.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had earlier expressed grave concern over Khan’s disappearance, calling on authorities to locate him and ensure his safety.
The NCCIA has not released further details about the specific content that prompted the charges, and investigations remain ongoing.
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