ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to identify the third Chinese national allegedly detained after arriving in Pakistan on a valid business visa, with the assistance of the petitioner, and submit a report to the court.

Justice Shahrukh Arjumand issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by Muhammad Nasir, coordinator and translator of the three Chinese nationals, challenging their alleged illegal detention.

The petitioner’s counsel, Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman, NCCIA investigation officers and other officials appeared before the court.

During the proceedings, the Assistant Attorney General informed the court that two of the three Chinese nationals had been identified, while the identity of the third had yet to be established. He requested additional time to complete the identification process.

The judge observed that if the NCCIA was facing difficulty in identifying the third Chinese national, the petitioner should assist the agency. The court directed the NCCIA to identify the citizen with the help of the petitioner and submit a report.

The petition concerns the detention of the three Chinese nationals following a joint raid conducted by the FIA, NCCIA and Islamabad Police at Sparco Plaza, Gulberg Greens, on August 11.

According to the petition, all three had entered Pakistan on valid business visas and were neither nominated nor wanted accused in any of the FIRs registered after the raid.

The court was earlier informed that the FIA registered cases against 258 persons under the Foreigners Act following the raid, while the NCCIA registered cases against 114 persons under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The petitioner had also challenged the detention of the Chinese nationals on the grounds that they were being held without an arrest memo or court order. The petition stated that the Chief Commissioner Islamabad had declared Sparco Plaza a sub-jail on August 11. Although the notification was withdrawn on August 14, the premises were again declared a sub-jail on August 15.

The petitioner maintained that continued detention without legal justification amounted to a violation of constitutional and fundamental rights and sought directions for the production and release of the three Chinese nationals.

During an earlier hearing, the court had granted one day to the Ministry of Interior, FIA and other respondents to submit their response to the petition. The government had sought time to furnish a complete report regarding the matter.

The court has now directed the NCCIA to complete the identification of the remaining Chinese national with the petitioner’s assistance and submit its report. Justice Shahrukh Arjumand adjourned further hearing of the case until today.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026