Canadian Scholar Missing in Pakistan, Found Arrested Over Social Media Posts

Canadian Scholar Missing in Pakistan, Found Arrested Over Social Media Posts

A Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen and PhD scholar from the University of Toronto, Hamza Ahmad Khan, went missing in Lahore on February 19. He had been staying with a friend since visiting Pakistan on February 13 for his thesis research. Khan was later arrested and appeared in court, facing charges related to his social media posts that authorities deemed inflammatory.

Hamza Khan, who specialized in the politics of democracy promotion in Muslim majority societies, had critical views on Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and military figures. His X account posted numerous critiques, leading to his arrest by Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.

Professor Ali Usman Qasi, who met Khan before his disappearance, expressed disagreement with Khan's political views but emphasized the importance of dialogue and understanding different perspectives.