Javed Latif granted pre-arrest bail in 'defaming state institutions' case

A district and sessions court of Lahore granted on Monday pre-arrest bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Javed Latif in a case pertaining to allegedly defaming state institutions.

The MNA was earlier quoted as saying in a talk show: "If anything happens to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N will not say Pakistan Khuppay.”

The sessions judge granted bail to the PML-N leader till March 30, and also summoned police record in the case by the said date.

Earlier today, the MNA appeared in court wherein his counsel Syed Farhad Ali Shah implored that his client was implicated in a forged case aimed at humiliating and embarrassing him, saying he had nothing to do with the allegations

On the contrary, the law officer argued that the accused defamed state institutions through his remarks. The prosecution argued that the bail plea of the accused be dismissed.

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On March 19, Township police registered a treason case against Latif for allegedly hurling insults at the state and its institutions.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of one Jameel Saleem under sections 120, 120B, 153, 153-A, 500 and 505(I) (B) and 506 of PPC.

In the FIR, it was stated that the MNA hurled insults at the state, its institutions and its integrity, sowed seeds of hatred in the PPP and PML-N workers and spread chaos and panic among the people by making the statement.

Latif, it added, violated criminal, national and constitutional laws by making the statement against national security and state institutions.

The MNA's statement had invited stern backlash, especially from the treasury benches, who asked the MNA to explain his stance and reassure his loyalty to the country.