Journalist Aslam Shah to appear before Karachi court in PECA case

Journalists, lawyers and civil society groups to attend proceedings in solidarity

Journalist Aslam Shah is scheduled to appear before the court of the Judicial Magistrate-I, South District, at the City Courts Karachi on Monday. Journalists’ bodies, lawyers and representatives of civil society organisations have announced that they will attend the proceedings to express solidarity.

Shah will present himself before the court, following his arrest under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and subsequent release on bail. The case against him was registered under Sections 20 and 24 of PECA on the complaint of an officer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. After his arrest, he was remanded to judicial custody at Malir Jail.

On January 14, the court, after hearing arguments from defence lawyers and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), ordered his immediate release on bail. A large number of journalists and lawyers were present during the hearing.

Read: Court considers merging PECA cases against Shandana Gulzar

Shah’s arrest has sparked protests across the country. Journalists’ organisations, along with human rights and social groups, have condemned the use of PECA against a journalist. The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), the Karachi Press Club and other media bodies criticised the registration of what they described as a “false and baseless” case and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

The KUJ executive committee described PECA as a “black law” being misused against working journalists and reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of the case against Shah.

The Karachi Union of Journalists also expressed gratitude to Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Afzal Butt, Secretary Arshad Ansari, senior journalists Mazhar Abbas and Khurshid Abbasi, Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili, Secretary Aslam Khan, and a large number of journalists, lawyers, labour leaders and human rights activists for their support.

Read more: '372 illegal cases registered under PECA'

Speaking to colleagues and supporters earlier, Shah thanked journalists, lawyers and human rights activists for showing solidarity. Participants said their struggle was not limited to Shah’s arrest and bail but formed part of a broader campaign against PECA and its alleged misuse against journalists.

They stressed the need to strengthen unity among journalists and allied groups, warning that collective action was essential to prevent the filing of cases against reporters for performing their professional duties. Journalists’ organisations, lawyers, human rights defenders, social activists and labour representatives said they would gather at the City Courts to show solidarity, calling such unity vital for safeguarding press freedom.