Pakistani journalist and Awami Raj Party chairman Iqrar ul Hassan has been granted bail in a social media-related criminal case by a sessions court in Karachi.
The court approved his bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000, allowing him to seek release after completing the required legal formalities.
The case involves allegations that Hassan shared or promoted anti-state material through social media platforms. However, the accusations have not been proven, and the criminal proceedings will continue despite the bail decision.
The latest ruling comes after an earlier bail application was rejected by a judicial magistrate on October 22.
Hassan was previously arrested in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area and subsequently transferred to Karachi to face the case registered against him.
The investigation is being conducted by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which has accused the journalist of involvement in unlawful online activity.
Earlier, on October 19, the NCCIA requested additional physical remand to continue its investigation. However, the court declined the request and ordered that Hassan be sent to prison on judicial remand.
The investigating agency was also directed to submit the case challan within 14 days for further legal proceedings.
During the subsequent bail proceedings, the court considered arguments presented by both the defence and the investigating agency.
Judicial Magistrate Gulraiz Memon was identified in the earlier proceedings involving Hassan’s bail application.
Defence counsel Ahmed Masood informed the court that the investigation challan had already been submitted. He also told the court that the journalist’s mobile devices were in the NCCIA’s possession.
According to the defence arguments, the investigating agency had indicated that no further investigation involving Hassan was required.
However, the forensic examination report relating to the seized devices was still awaited.
The case reportedly involves provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including allegations relating to cyberterrorism, cyberstalking and the dissemination of false information.
Investigators have linked the allegations to content allegedly circulated through social media platforms.
Hassan’s legal representatives have disputed the accusations, while the allegations remain subject to judicial examination.
The grant of bail does not amount to an acquittal or dismissal of the criminal case. It only allows the accused to seek release under the conditions imposed by the court while legal proceedings continue.
Following the latest decision, Hassan can secure his release after submitting the required Rs200,000 surety bonds and completing the necessary formalities.
Further proceedings may involve examination of the forensic report and other evidence collected during the investigation.
The case will continue through the relevant judicial process, with the court determining subsequent developments in accordance with the law.
In other news read more about: Karachi Court Rejects Iqrarul Hassan’s Bail Plea for Second Time
For now, the bail decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the Pakistani journalist.
