Journalist remanded in FIA custody

ISLAMABAD:

The court of a judicial magistrate in Islamabad has handed over arrested journalist Waheed Murad to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a two-day physical remand for allegedly sharing online posts of a banned organisation in Balochistan.

During the hearing, Murad informed the court that his mother-in-law, a cancer patient, had arrived from Canada for treatment and was also beaten by the law enforcers during the arrest.

Murad stated that he was arrested without prior notice and that the police broke into his house late night. He also disclosed that he was kept blindfolded throughout and was handed over to the FIA just 20 minutes ago.

Murad's lawyer, Hadi Ali Chattha, requested the court to allow them to see the FIR, stating that they have also filed a petition against Murad's unlawful detention.

The court inquired about the timing of Murad's arrest, to which the FIA replied that he was arrested last night and accused of sharing posts related to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The FIA requested a 10-day physical remand for Murad, citing the need to investigate his Facebook and X accounts, as well as recover his mobile phone.

Meanwhile, Iman Mazari, another lawyer representing Murad, argued that the accused is a journalist and FIA must justify why his remand is needed. She questioned whether the investigation agency had issued a notice to Murad.

Meanwhile, lawyer Chattha stated that journalism had become a crime in the country. "If no crime has been committed, the court can discharge the accused or grant bail. Journalists are being harassed and arrested," he said. After hearing the arguments, the court granted a two-day physical remand and handed Murad over to the FIA.