PTI's Hasan granted bail in PECA case
One of the special courts recently notified to hear cases filed under the country's electronic crimes law has granted post-arrest bail to some PTI leaders, including Raoof Hasan.
A duty magistrate in Islamabad, Abbas Shah, on Thursday accepted the bail applications of Hasan, PTI's information secretary, and others on submission of a surety bond of Rs50,000 for each accused.
On July 22, Islamabad Police arrested Hasan from the PTI's secretariat in the federal capital. During the raid, the police also seized a computer and other items. The authorities had alleged that the digital media cell at the PTI's office had become a hub for international disinformation, where anti-Pakistan propaganda was being carried out in collaboration with enemy agencies.
Later, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered a case against Hasan and the PTI social media team under sections 9, 10, and 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. The charges in the case could lead to a combined sentence of up to 28 years and a fine of up to Rs60 million.
During hearing of bail applications on Thursday, PTI's lawyer Ali Bukhari argued that a case was registered against Hasan based on disclosures made by Ahmad Waqas Janjua.
He stated that the eight accused mentioned in the case are salaried employees at the PTI secretariat with no connection to Hasan. The accused include a few peons, desk operators, and receptionists. He questioned what harm these employees could have caused to the country, stating their only fault was that they were doing their jobs. He said the FIR does not contain even a single word regarding section 9. The FIR is filled with disjointed accusations, and the court can either grant bail or discharge the case.
FIA Prosecutor Amir Sheikh, in his arguments, stated that out of 14 accused, 12 have been arrested while two women are on bail. He said there are four technical reports in the case, which indicate that over 100 WhatsApp groups were being used to incite unrest.
The court, after reserving its decision on the post-arrest bail of Hasan and others, ordered their release on bail.