Lahore’s sessions court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javed against her physical remand, upholding a magistrate’s decision to hand her over to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Additional Sessions Judge ruled that the earlier order granting remand was lawful, rejecting Falak Javed’s contention that the decision was illegal.

Her counsel, Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, argued that physical remand in her case was excessive and comparable only to cases involving heinous crimes such as murder or dacoity.

The NCCIA prosecutor opposed the plea, maintaining that investigators needed lawful custody to question Falak Javed and conduct a forensic analysis of her mobile phone.

“The investigating officer is questioning the accused in accordance with the law,” the prosecutor told the court.

The case stems from Falak Javed’s arrest last week in Islamabad’s Sector F-10, following what authorities described as 16 months in hiding.

She was subsequently remanded into NCCIA custody for five days after prosecutors initially sought 30 days.

Falak Javed faces charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly posting anti-state material and derogatory remarks against Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, who is the complainant in the case.

She is the sister of PTI activist Sanam Javed, who has also faced multiple politically sensitive cases.