Post-Arrest Bail
ISLAMABAD: A trial court granted bail to vlogger Asad Toor on Saturday in a case linked to an alleged malicious campaign against Supreme Court judges.
Special court judge Humayun Dilawar presided over Toor’s plea for post-arrest bail after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained him for purportedly fueling a social media campaign against the judiciary and other institutions.
Toor’s bail was approved by the court upon posting a bond of Rs5,000. FIA Special Prosecutor Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah did not oppose the bail plea.
In January, a six-member high-powered joint investigation team (JIT) was established by the caretaker government to investigate the alleged campaign against judges of the apex court following a verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party polls led by CJP Isa.
On February 23, Toor was held by the FIA for eight hours after appearing before the JIT without being served notice through proper channels, as claimed by his lawyer, Imaan Mazari.
Subsequently, Toor was arrested on February 26 in connection with the case and remanded in physical custody for five days. On March 6, the lower court extended his physical remand for two days. On March 8, the vlogger was transferred to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.
According to the first information report (FIR) against Toor, he allegedly conducted a malicious campaign against the judiciary on social media platforms and YouTube, thereby promoting anti-state activities.
He has been booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the notices issued by the FIA against the law. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a written decision, stating that the notices were unlawful as they were followed by the lodging of an FIR.
However, the court clarified that it lacked the authority to take suo-motu notice and order Toor’s release.
