Anti-Terrorism Court on Saturday approved the bail of journalist Matiullah Jan in an alleged drugs case. The bail was approved in Islamabad against the bond worth Rs.10,000.
The ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing and approved the bail. The development comes two days after the journalist was arrested from the premises of the PIMS Hospital in Islamabad. He is being accused of allegedly assaulting the police, forcibly snatching their weaponry, and issuing threats along with being under the influence of drugs with the substance “ice” reportedly recovered from his vehicle as well.
The FIR registered against him includes CrPC’s Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint to the committing of the theft), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 506 (criminal intimidation) along with 7ATA (terrorism-related section) and a narcotics-related section.
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His arrest was declared publicly hours after his disappearance. The case has been registered against him in Margallah Police Station in Islamabad. A tweet appeared from the official account of Matiullah Jan that informed about his alleged abduction from the premises of the hospital in Islamabad.
“Matiullah Jan has been abducted from the parking of PIMS tonight at around 11 by unmarked abductors in an unmarked vehicle alongside Saqib Bashir (who was let go 5 minutes later). This follows his courageous coverage of the protests in Islamabad. I demand that my father be let go immediately and his family immediately be informed of his whereabouts,” read the tweet.
The son of Matiullah Jan released a video message on X sharing the details of his alleged abduction. According to him, he was abducted by another journalist Saqib Bashir, who was released later by ‘unidentified men’ took Matiullah with them.