Man sent on physical remand for mocking national anthem
He uploaded pictures, videos creating hate against state institutions, on social media
PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
A judicial magistrate sent a man on a three-day physical remand for allegedly mocking the National Anthem, creating hatred against the state institutions through some pictures and videos uploaded on his Facebook account.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials produced Azharul Haq, a journalist by trade, before the magisterial court seeking physical remand on a plea to investigate the matter properly. To which accused counsel advocate Mian Dawood argued that the ‘freedom of expression’ was being suppressed through such tactics.
“The half of Pakistan’s population should have been arrested if the criticism on Musharraf and on the present regime was a crime,” advocate Dawood contended.
The counsel argued that FIA registered a case against his client following the pressure exerted by the government.
Pakistanis reciprocate India by singing their national anthem
“Even a single word had not been mentioned in FIR that could establish his client did something against the state”, argued Mian Dawood.
He termed the FIR a violation of Article 19.
Mian Dawood implored the court that there is no need for further physical remand which is being requested by the FIA officials. However, he prayed to send the accused on judicial remand.
After hearing arguments, the judge sent the accused on three days physical remand.
The FIA Cyber Crime wing registered an FIR against the accused on January 16 under section 11 and 20 of PECA 2016 R/W 505 of PPC.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2020.
A judicial magistrate sent a man on a three-day physical remand for allegedly mocking the National Anthem, creating hatred against the state institutions through some pictures and videos uploaded on his Facebook account.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials produced Azharul Haq, a journalist by trade, before the magisterial court seeking physical remand on a plea to investigate the matter properly. To which accused counsel advocate Mian Dawood argued that the ‘freedom of expression’ was being suppressed through such tactics.
“The half of Pakistan’s population should have been arrested if the criticism on Musharraf and on the present regime was a crime,” advocate Dawood contended.
The counsel argued that FIA registered a case against his client following the pressure exerted by the government.
Pakistanis reciprocate India by singing their national anthem
“Even a single word had not been mentioned in FIR that could establish his client did something against the state”, argued Mian Dawood.
He termed the FIR a violation of Article 19.
Mian Dawood implored the court that there is no need for further physical remand which is being requested by the FIA officials. However, he prayed to send the accused on judicial remand.
After hearing arguments, the judge sent the accused on three days physical remand.
The FIA Cyber Crime wing registered an FIR against the accused on January 16 under section 11 and 20 of PECA 2016 R/W 505 of PPC.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2020.