Fawad released from Adiala jail

Bail granted on condition that he would not make ‘controversial remarks’ against a constitutional institution again

ISLAMABAD:

PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry was released from Adiala jail on Wednesday evening after he was granted bail on the condition that he would not repeat any such words that incite violence against a constitutional institution.

A large number of PTI workers welcomed the PTI leader outside the prison in Rawalpindi.

Fawad was granted bail against a surety bond of Rs20,000.

The PTI leader was arrested from Lahore on January 25 for allegedly “inciting violence” against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members and the chief election commissioner (CEC).

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An FIR was registered against him at Islamabad’s Kohsar police station. Later, he was handed over to police on a two-day physical remand.

As the remand ended, Fawad was produced before a judicial magistrate who extended it by another two days.

Following the arrest, PTI chief Imran Khan penned a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial seeking his intervention for the protection of "fundamental rights" in Fawad's case.

On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Faizan Haider Gilani heard the case.

Fawad’s counsel Babar Awan appeared before the court.

During the hearing, the judge remarked that he was granting bail on the condition that Fawad would not repeat any such words that incite violence against a constitutional institution.

The ECP and prosecution opposed Fawad’s bail and requested the court to reject it.

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Later, while talking to media, Fawad expressed his gratitude to all those who had expressed solidarity with him during his incarceration.

“I said in court as well. I stand by all that I said, and I will not back down,” the PTI leader said.

To a question, he responded that he had never spoken against the institutions, of which he was the “biggest supporter”.

“I never talk against the institutions. I am the biggest supporter of our institutions, and I never said anything against them. That is why I reiterate that whatever I said was right," he said.

Fawad lashed out at the ECP secretary who had suggested to the CEC to file a sedition case against him.