In Islamabad, a court has approved a three-day extension to the physical remand of Raoof Hasan, the spokesperson for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, handing him over to the Federal Investigation Agency for further interrogation.
Hasan and several other members of the PTI media cell are accused of disseminating anti-state propaganda, as per charges filed by the FIA under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The developments unfolded during Hasan’s appearance before the Islamabad District and Sessions Court following the completion of his initial two-day remand. The FIA pressed for an extension, citing ongoing investigations into social media accounts and Gmail logins linked to the case.
According to the FIA, the suspects allegedly operated WhatsApp groups involving members abroad and possessed fake accounts on their mobile devices. The agency also accused Hasan, who heads the PTI media wing, of orchestrating a campaign targeting the judiciary and administration.
Under the provisions of PECA, the FIA asserted its right to seek a 30-day remand in such cases, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the complexity of the digital evidence being scrutinized.
Simultaneously, the court granted post-arrest bail to two women affiliated with the PTI media cell, identified as Farhat and Iqra, who faced similar charges under PECA. The FIA prosecutor argued that these women were employed by the media cell for specific tasks, and evidence supporting the charges against them existed.
Despite the prosecution’s arguments, the court decided to release Farhat and Iqra on bail upon submission of Rs. 50,000 each as surety bonds, recognizing their right to defend against the allegations while not considering them flight risks or immediate threats to the ongoing investigation.
The judicial proceedings underscored the gravity of charges against PTI members accused of online activities deemed detrimental to national interests, reflecting the government’s stringent stance on digital crimes and their implications for state security.
