Islamabad-based journalist Asad Ali Toor was released from Adiala Jail on Saturday following approval of his bail by a trial court in a case related to an online campaign against the judiciary.
The hearing of the case was conducted by Special Judge Central Humayun Dilawar. Petitioner Toor was represented by advocates Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha.
Advocate Chatha, at the beginning of the hearing, presented the Supreme Court’s observation stating that journalists should not face charges over a social media campaign against higher judiciary officials.
Judge Dilawar inquired with the investigation officer of the case and the FIA prosecutor about the accuracy of the Supreme Court’s observation. The FIA official confirmed the observation’s authenticity to the court.
Toor’s bail plea was accepted by the court against surety bonds of Rs5,000, leading to his subsequent release.
Toor was initially arrested on February 26 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, accused of orchestrating a defamatory campaign against state institutions. This led to his custody and eventual imprisonment.
Subsequently, the Islamabad High Court intervened, mandating an expedited bail hearing for Toor, which had been postponed to March 18 due to the investigating officer’s illness.
In January, the caretaker government formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate an alleged social media campaign against the judiciary following the Supreme Court’s ruling that stripped the PTI party of its bat symbol.
