Hareem Shah submits surety bond after protective bail

TikToker approached the court against possible arrest by FIA upon her return to Pakistan

KARACHI:

TikToker Hareem Shah, who was granted a protective bail for seven days by the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday, submitted a surety bond worth Rs25,000 on Tuesday.

The SHC approved the protective bail for Shah who had approached the court against possible arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) upon her return to Pakistan. The SHC ordered her to submit a surety bond and cooperate with FIA investigation.

In her bail plea, Shah stated that as a Pakistani national she has the right to return to her homeland.

The case against her pertains to a video she had posted on social media in which she could be seen holding a large sum of currency notes. The FIA issued a notice to Shah after the video went viral. Shah apologised and informed the FIA that the video was solely for entertainment purposes.

While speaking informally after the court verdict, the TikToker said that she had got relief from the court twice before but could not return home due to some personal reasons.

"Now, once again the court has given me relief, so I returned to my country and appeared before the court," she said. "Many people wished for me to be arrested but that did not happen," she added. "I've moved out of Pakistan permanently. I only returned to appear before the FIA."

Shah said that she supports PTI and "Imran Khan is our prime minister."

Shah, who met the MQM founder in London, claimed that Altaf Hussain has been acquitted by a British court and he should be allowed to return to Pakistan. "If people who have looted the hard-earned money of Pakistani people can return to Pakistan, then why can't the MQM founder?"

"One of the most corrupt politicians returned to Pakistan a few days ago," she said while referring to Ishaq Dar, who has been made finance minister by the coalition government after his return. "If he can be given relief, then the MQM founder should also be given relief. He did not do things that the big fish had done. Law should be equally applicable to all," she said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2022.