Canadian-Pakistani PhD student Hamza Ahmed Khan remains jailed in Lahore after being denied bail over social media content.
Canadian Student Remains Behind Bars in Pakistan
Toronto-based University of Toronto PhD student Hamza Ahmed Khan is still in Lahore district jail after being denied bail, sparking concern among his family and human rights advocates.
His brother, Awes Ahmed Khan, described the past week as “emotionally draining,” with family members rushing between lawyers’ offices and courtrooms to secure his release.
“There’s no reason to keep him behind bars. It feels like punishment before any trial,” Awes said. “We haven’t slept properly in a week.”
Arrest Linked to Social Media Activity
Ahmed Khan, who holds dual Canadian-Pakistani citizenship, travelled to Pakistan in December to conduct research on democracy promotion in Muslim-majority societies. His family says he went missing on Feb. 19 and has been in custody since Feb. 21.
Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) alleges that his X and Instagram accounts were “disseminating misinformation targeting state institutions,” citing violations of the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.
Ahmed Khan’s lawyer, Asad Jamal, criticised the decision to deny bail, noting that it relied on precedents that don’t fit this particular case.
Court Warns About “Derogatory Campaigns”
Judicial magistrate Muhammad Naeem Wattoo emphasised the seriousness of digital content in today’s world, noting that inflammatory posts can have “instantaneous and far-reaching consequences.”
He differentiated between “ordinary criticism” and conduct “capable of disturbing public order and national cohesion,” adding that the possibility of tampering with evidence could not be dismissed.
Awes Ahmed Khan disputes the court’s reasoning, pointing out that his brother shared ideas with a small, public audience.
“If sharing critical posts about human rights or government policies leads to jail time without fair process, it affects everyone’s freedom of speech,” he said.
Ahmed Khan’s X account has roughly 15,700 followers, yet Awes says the risk of evidence tampering is “completely unjust” since online posts cannot simply be erased or altered.
Family Holds Out Hope Amid Legal Challenges
The family has filed a bail petition in district court, with plans to appeal to Pakistan’s high court if necessary. However, Jamal admits the path is uncertain.
Experts note Pakistan’s political climate complicates the matter. Ahmed Shafiqul Huque, a McMaster University professor, points out that recent military consolidations of power limit the courts’ independence.
“The military has become the most powerful institution, even above elected officials,” Huque said. “This makes the outlook for fair judicial outcomes quite challenging.”
Staying Strong Through Adversity
Awes says their family, composed mainly of doctors and engineers, has never dealt with felony convictions, and Hamza’s resolve keeps them going.
“The one thing holding us together is Hamza’s determination,” he said. “Even behind bars, he gives us hope by thinking of family and the life waiting after this ordeal.”
