IHC rejects FIA request seeking extension in Azam Swati's remand

Orders for accused to be sent to jail on judicial remand

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday rejected the extension of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati's additional physical remand in the case pertaining to his controversial tweet about state institutions.

After rejecting the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) request for the extension, the IHC ordered for the accused to be sent to jail on judicial remand.

The development comes a day after the court granted a one-day extension for Swati’s remand.

In the earlier hearing, the prosecutor argued that an extension was required for the investigation officer to recover the PTI leader’s cell phone which was used to post the controversial tweet.

Bail plea filed

In a separate development, the PTI leader filed a post-arrest bail application. His counsel Sohail Khan Swati appeared before the court on his behalf.

Special Judge Central Raja Asif Mehmood issued notices to the FIA over the petition, and directed to submit a by October 19.

Read Imran, other PTI leaders booked in prohibited funding case

The court also summoned the FIA investigator, along with all the record pertaining to the case.

The hearing of the case will now be held on January 19.

'Will drag DG FIA to court'

Before his court appearance on Sunday, Swati, while speaking to the media, had accused Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and the director general FIA, claiming they had registered a first information report (FIR) against him and handed him over to agencies who had tortured him.

“I will bring them forward according to the constitution. I will take DG FIA to court and will file a case against the director of Cybercrime Wing and his staff as well,” he said.

“They are asking me why did I defend Senator Saifullah? He is the right-hand man of Imran Khan and an honest man. What did he do?” questioned Swati, adding that he would have stood up the same way even for an ordinary party worker as well.

The arrest

Swati was taken into custody last Thursday morning by FIA’s cybercrime unit for allegedly making ‘controversial tweets’ against state institutions, including the army chief.

Read more IHC restrains police from ‘unnecessarily’ harassing PTI leaders

An FIR, a copy of which is available with the Express Tribune, was registered against Swati by the FIA for “using false information” through his official Twitter handle, “which is likely to incite any Officer, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny”.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, following the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the high-profile money laundering case, the PTI leader implicated the army for abetting acquittals of the Sharif family.

“I wish Imran khan allow[s] me, I would come straight to Gate 4 in Rawalpindi to challenge those who have ruined this country,” he said.

How long imported govt and its criminals and their Masters 5-6 in establishments are going to play with the future of our Nation ? Have your heard Atizaz ? I wish Imran khan allow me I would come straight to Gate 4 in Rawalpindi to challenge those who have ruined this country pic.twitter.com/Q7EVJkj94g

— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) October 12, 2022

“Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country,” he added.

Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you . Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country . With these thugs getting free You have legitimise corruption . How you predict now the future of this country ? pic.twitter.com/uZgHQjZ7lJ

— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) October 12, 2022