ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad District and Sessions Court approving the bail of journalist Waheed Murad has ordered his release.
The FIR lodged against Waheed Murad states that he “is found sharing highly intimidating content / post on social media / Facebook and X … in which the alleged profile has knowingly disseminated / propagated, fake, false, misleading and misinterpreted information leading to hatred against the government functionaries…”
The FIA also claimed that Murad had shared investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani’s report regarding the army chief’s family and also posted content related to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The court granted bail in a case registered under the Cyber Crime Act against surety bonds of Rs 50,000. However, upon the petitioner’s request, the amount was reduced to Rs 20,000.
Journalist Waheed Murad remanded in FIA custody
FIA presented Waheed Murad before Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah’s court on Friday upon completion of his two-day physical remand.
The court ordered that the journalist be sent to jail on judicial remand.
During the hearing, the court inquired about the material obtained during the two-day remand. The FIA responded that various social media posts had been shown to Murad, which were also placed on record.
Lawyer Imaan Mazari argued that the posts in question did not belong to Waheed Murad. She pointed out that one of the posts was from Akhtar Mengal, which was merely a statement.
After hearing arguments, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah approved Waheed Murad’s bail and ordered his release.