Islamabad’s Trial Court approves the bail of vlogger and digital journalist Asad Ali Toor on Saturday in the case of the online campaign against the judiciary.
He was represented by his counsel Imaan Hazir Mazari and Hadi Chatha in the headed headed by Judge Humayun Dilawar. Investigation Officer and FIA Prosecutor Ashfaq Hussain Shah were also present in the Special Court hearing.
Advocate Chatha quoted the observation of the Supreme Court that journalists should not be booked over social media campaigns against superior judges. Judge Humayun Dilawal asked the FIA prosecutor and Investigation Officer if this is true. “Yes this observation is true,” the FIA official told the court.
The court accepted Toor’s bail application against the surety bond of Rs.5000. Civil society welcomes his release after nearly 20 days.
https://x.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1768871053378359386?s=20
Reacting to his release journalist Hamid Mir said, “Judge Hamayun Dilawar ordered release of journalist Asad Toor today but what about those who registered a fake case against the journalist? What about the 10 days physical remand given to FIA for the investigation? What about the anti-state allegations in the FIR? It is now proved that all allegations were a pack of lies.”
Read more: Imran Riaz Khan once again arrested from his residence
His arrest came following the formation of a five-member joint investigation team (JIT) by the caretaker government back in January, tasked with unraveling the facts surrounding a malicious social media campaign targeting the judiciary. The genesis of this investigation stemmed from the aftermath of a Supreme Court decision that stripped the PTI of its emblematic ‘bat’ symbol.
Toor’s legal team confirmed his arrest by the agency, which took place after he voluntarily appeared at the FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre to address a summons notice regarding the alleged campaign against the judiciary. Despite possessing an order from the Islamabad High Court instructing the agency not to harass Toor, he was taken into custody without his legal representatives present.