Rauf Hassan first to face trial under PECA in special court

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published July 25, 2024 at 05:01 pm |  JP Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD—Rauf Hassan, Information Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) became the first person to be tried under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 in a special court on Thursday along with eight others.

This landmark case marks the inaugural trial in the court established specifically for PECA cases. The special court has approved a three-day physical remand for Hassan and the other accused.

During the hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor argued for a longer remand, stating that the social media accounts and Gmail logins of the accused were yet to be recovered. The prosecutor noted that some individuals were operating WhatsApp groups, including members outside Pakistan, for monetary gain. Additionally, fake accounts were found on the mobile phones of the accused, and Hasan was allegedly directing campaigns against the judiciary and the administration.

The Ministry of Law, in consultation with Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Amir Farooq, established the special court to handle cases registered under PECA. An official from the Ministry of Law confirmed that special courts have also been set up in other regions of the country, with mandatory consultations held with the Chief Justices of the respective High Courts.

Photo credit: arynews.tv

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