The Arrest of a University of Toronto PhD Student in Pakistan

A University of Toronto (U of T) PhD student, Hamza Ahmed Khan, has been detained in Pakistan amid allegations related to his social media activity, raising serious concerns within Canadian higher education circles about the safety of graduate researchers conducting field work abroad. Khan, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin enrolled in U of T's Political Science program, was pursuing dissertation research on sensitive topics when he was taken into custody by Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). This case highlights the precarious position of Canadian academics navigating political landscapes in high-risk regions.

Khan's detention underscores the intersection of academic freedom, digital expression, and international travel risks for graduate students. As Canadian universities like U of T encourage global research to foster comprehensive scholarship, incidents like this prompt reevaluation of support systems for students venturing into politically volatile areas.

Who is Hamza Ahmed Khan?

Hamza Ahmed Khan is a dedicated PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto, one of Canada's premier institutions for advanced studies in governance and international relations. His research focuses on the politics of democracy promotion in Muslim-majority societies, exploring the tensions between political religion, secularism, democratization, and fundamental rights. Additional work examines the politics of taxing high-net-worth individuals in post-colonial states, reflecting a commitment to understanding economic and political power dynamics in developing contexts.

Prior to his doctoral studies, Khan worked as a chartered accountant in Pakistan and the United Kingdom, bringing professional expertise to his academic pursuits. Described by peers as principled, thoughtful, and integrity-driven, he was in Pakistan to conduct interviews with experts in Lahore and Islamabad, essential for his field research methodology common in political science PhDs. For aspiring researchers, U of T's robust PhD programs offer opportunities in research assistant jobs and postdoctoral positions to build such expertise.

Detailed Timeline of Events

The sequence of events began when Khan arrived in Pakistan around mid-February 2026 to advance his dissertation fieldwork. On February 19, he went missing in Lahore's DHA Phase 10 area during a ride with the Yango app, prompting his family to file a kidnapping report at Defence-A police station on February 22. He resurfaced in NCCIA custody, with authorities claiming detention started February 21 following a cyber patrol identifying his social media posts.

• February 13: Arrival in Pakistan for research.
• February 18-19: Disappearance during cab ride.
• February 21: FIR registered under PECA sections 20, 24, 26A.
• February 23: Court appearance, 14-day judicial remand to Lahore Camp Jail.
• February 25: Bail petition filed in Lahore High Court (LHC), hearing set for February 26.

Family lawyers allege illegal abduction, citing procedural violations under Pakistan's Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and PECA, as Khan was held over 24 hours without notice or legal consultation.

Nature of the Alleged Social Media Posts

Pakistani authorities accuse Khan of posting "inflammatory" content on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram that disseminates misinformation targeting state institutions, inciting unrest, and defaming leaders like Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Posts reportedly criticize government decisions, such as joining a U.S. peace board, and express support for jailed former PM Imran Khan, amid UN concerns over his detention conditions.

Khan's brother, Awes Ahmed Khan, portrays the activity as balanced intellectual discourse on critical issues tied to his heritage, not malice. The family has been denied FIR annexures detailing posts, fueling transparency concerns.CBC News reports poor jail conditions, with multiple inmates per cell.

Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Explained

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), enacted in 2016 and amended in 2025, criminalizes cyber offenses including defamation (Section 20), cyberstalking (Section 24), and spoofing/false information (Section 26A). Penalties include up to five years imprisonment and fines.

Critics, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, decry PECA as draconian, enabling suppression of dissent under guises of combating fake news. It has targeted journalists, activists, and academics, with 2025 amendments expanding regulatory powers over social media, threatening freedom of expression enshrined in Pakistan's constitution. In Khan's case, procedural lapses amplify academic freedom worries.

University of Toronto's Response and Support

U of T Vice-Provost Sandy Welsh expressed deep concern, stating the university prioritizes Khan's safety and is liaising with his family and Canadian officials for his return. U of T mandates Safety Abroad registration for international travel, including risk assessments, insurance, and emergency plans—steps Khan may have followed.

The university's Learning Abroad office provides pre-departure workshops on personal safety, prohibiting driving abroad and advising against unregistered taxis—relevant given Khan's Yango incident. This framework positions U of T as a leader in student protection, aiding pursuits in postdoc opportunities.

Family, Advocacy, and Canadian Government Role

Khan's family, including brother Awes and parents, visited him in jail, noting requests for books amid dire conditions. Lawyers filed an LHC petition alleging fabricated charges to mask abduction. Advocacy letters urge Global Affairs Canada (GAC) intervention, though no public response yet. GAC's Registration of Canadians Abroad facilitates emergency aid.

Pakistan's travel advisory urges high caution due to terrorism and unrest; border areas are no-go zones.Government of Canada Travel Advisory

Expert Views on Risks to Researchers

McMaster's Ahmed Shafiqul Huque links Khan's arrest to sensitivities around democracy research in Pakistan's military-influenced politics. Political science field research often involves politically charged topics, amplifying vulnerabilities abroad. While specific Canadian cases in Pakistan are rare, broader detentions highlight digital footprints as liabilities.

• Political sensitivity of topics like democracy and governance.
• Cyber laws targeting criticism.
• Enforced disappearances reported in human rights dossiers.

Canadian universities must bolster digital security training.

Implications for Canadian Higher Education

This incident spotlights challenges for Canadian PhD students in international research, potentially deterring fieldwork in regions like South Asia. U of T's Political Science department, renowned for global studies, faces questions on risk mitigation. Institutions may enhance partnerships with career advice resources for safer trajectories.

Statistics show rising international student mobility, but detentions underscore needs for robust consular support and university protocols. It prompts discourse on balancing academic inquiry with safety.

Safety Recommendations for Graduate Students Abroad

To mitigate risks, Canadian universities recommend:

• Register with Safety Abroad and GAC services.
• Assess destinations via travel advisories step-by-step.
• Use VPNs and limit social media on sensitive topics.
• Secure comprehensive insurance and emergency contacts.
• Avoid solo night travel; use verified transport.

For political science researchers eyeing research assistant roles abroad, these steps are crucial.

Photo by Sohail Nawaz on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Path Forward

As Khan's LHC hearing approaches, outcomes could influence Canada-Pakistan academic ties. Advocacy grows for PECA reforms to protect scholars. Canadian higher ed must invest in researcher resilience, from mental health support to legal aid funds.

Explore opportunities at Rate My Professor, Higher Ed Jobs, Higher Ed Career Advice, University Jobs, and post a job to advance safely in academia. This case reaffirms the need for vigilant, supportive ecosystems in global scholarship.