In Karachi, a court granted an extension of TV host Yasir Shami’s interim bail until June 6th in a case involving the online leaking of indecent videos featuring the late politician and anchorperson Aamir Liaquat Hussain. Shami, a suspect in the case, had applied for bail, which was extended by the court.
The video in question depicted Liaquat in a compromising state at his home, allegedly under the influence of illegal substances, and was circulated shortly after news emerged of his third marriage ending. Liaquat, a former MNA, passed away under mysterious circumstances on June 9, 2022, and was buried in the compound of the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine.
Last year, Dania Shah, Liaquat’s widow, was indicted by a judicial magistrate in the case but was later granted bail. Recently, during a court hearing, both Dania and Shami appeared. Shami, hailing from Lahore, surrendered himself to the court and requested bail, which was granted upon payment of Rs500,000 in surety bonds.
Shami’s lawyer argued for his client’s bail approval and requested a new hearing date. The court subsequently extended Shami’s interim bail until June 6th due to the absence of the FIA prosecutor.
Outside the court, Shami asserted his adherence to journalistic principles, stating that he edited and aired the video responsibly, citing Section 21 of PECA being imposed on him. He framed the issue as related to the deceased’s property matters and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
