ISLAMABAD, On Friday, a court ordered journalist Asad Ali Toor’s imprisonment for a 14-day judicial detainment, concerning an online initiative targeting the judiciary.
Earlier this year, a five-member joint investigation team was formed to examine the facts behind a malicious social media campaign against the judiciary, following the Supreme Court’s decision to deny PTI its symbolic ‘bat’.
On February 23, Toor was questioned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for approximately eight hours on the same matter. Three days later, the journalist was arrested and held in FIA custody for five days.
According to the first information report, Toor was charged under Sections 9, 10, and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), which cover offenses related to glorifying a crime, cyber terrorism, and cyberstalking.
The FIR states that Toor fabricated a misleading narrative and launched a “malicious, obnoxious, and explicit campaign” against “civil servants, government officials, and state institutions.” On Wednesday, the court extended Toor’s detainment by two more days. Today, Judicial Magistrate Shabbir Bhatti ordered the journalist’s transfer to Adiala Jail for a 14-day judicial remand, dismissing the FIA’s request for a four-day extension in physical custody.
The court has dismissed the appeal seeking removal from the case
In a separate event, Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra addressed an appeal concerning the journalist’s physical remand. Toor’s legal representatives, Hadi Ali and Imaan Hazir-Mazari, participated in the proceedings. Initially, the FIA prosecutor informed the court that they had presented Toor and sought an additional four-day extension for his remand. The judge inquired, “What have you accomplished during these days?”
The prosecutor responded by mentioning that they examined the journalist’s social media accounts and seized his devices. He added, “We still need to recover some items from Asad Ali Toor.” On the other hand, Toor’s lawyer, Hadi Ali, argued that his client had been in FIA custody for 11 days and requested the court to release him from the case.
During the hearing, Hadi Ali questioned the need for an extension, stating, “Asad Toor’s mobile was taken, he was interrogated as well […] what more do they want? For what do they want an extension in physical remand?” He further argued that the journalist would be available for investigation after being discharged from the case.
In response to the judge’s inquiry about Toor’s vlogs, Ali explained that they were related to the alleged electoral rigging in the February 8 general elections. The FIA prosecutor countered by saying that Toor had posted vlogs “in exchange for money.” However, the judge disagreed, stating, “They had nothing to do with money.”
Imaan Hazir-Mazari, another lawyer representing Toor, mentioned that their client had approached the Islamabad High Court against the FIA notice. The judge acknowledged this, noting that they had sought relief from two forums and subsequently reserved the verdict in the case.
Ultimately, the judge dismissed the plea seeking Asad Toor’s dismissal from the case.
