Safdar granted bail in hate speech case

LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (retd) Safdar in a case that accused him of delivering hate speech against the state institutions.

The son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was taken into custody by police near Ravi Toll Plaza a few weeks back. The court also asked Safdar to submit a surety bond of Rs200,000.

Capt Safdar arrested by police on 'hate speech' charge

In previous proceedings, the accused counsel advocate Syed Farhad Ali Shah told the court that PML-N’s leaders were the subject of political victimisation.

During the case proceedings, he raised objections contending that police registered an FIR against accused Safdar Awan despite the fact that delivering a speech on social media relates to the cybercrime cell of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA). He also intimated the court about the mala fide intention behind the registration of FIR by police.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2019.