Bilal Ghouri Remand Extended Two Days as NCCIA Seeks More Custody

An Islamabad judicial magistrate on Thursday extended journalist Bilal Ghouri’s physical remand by two days in a case being investigated by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The decision came after the agency sought a longer extension in custody, with the court directing investigators to produce Ghouri again on September 12 for the next stage of proceedings.

Ghouri was brought before the District and Sessions Court after completing an earlier three-day physical remand. Judicial Magistrate Malik Aman heard arguments over the investigation agency’s request for an additional six days of custody before reserving his decision. The court later granted two days rather than the full period requested by investigators.

During the hearing, defence counsel Imran Shafiq opposed any further physical remand. He argued that investigators had already obtained the material they required and had taken possession of Ghouri’s mobile phone, laptop and relevant social media accounts. The defence questioned why continued physical custody was necessary when the electronic devices central to the investigation were already with the agency.

Ghouri also addressed the court and said his accounts, phone and laptop were under the investigators’ control. The investigating officer responded that officials were encountering difficulties accessing the accounts because two-factor authentication was enabled. That access issue formed part of the agency’s case for additional time with the journalist in physical custody while investigators continued their work.

After considering the arguments, the magistrate reserved the ruling and subsequently announced a two-day extension. The outcome gave investigators less time than the six additional days they had sought while keeping Ghouri in their custody until the next scheduled court appearance. No final determination on the underlying allegations was made during Thursday’s remand proceedings.

The hearing places the focus on the procedural balance between investigators seeking access to digital evidence and the defence challenging the necessity of continued physical custody. The dispute over access to password-protected or authentication-secured accounts also highlights the central role of electronic evidence in cases handled by Pakistan’s cybercrime authorities, particularly when investigators already possess the physical devices involved.

For Ghouri, the immediate consequence is a further two days in physical remand before he returns to court. For investigators, the extension provides a limited period to continue efforts involving the seized devices and accounts. The defence, meanwhile, has maintained that the recoveries have already been completed and that a longer period of custody is therefore unnecessary.

The next significant development is expected on September 12, when authorities have been ordered to present Ghouri before the court again. At that hearing, the court may be asked to consider the progress of the investigation and any further request concerning his custody. Until then, the case remains at the investigation and remand stage, with the court having made no finding of guilt.