Podcast host's bail plea dismissed

. A magisterial court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of a podcast host arrested in a case registered under the blasphemy law and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The court held that the defence had failed to establish the absence of connection of the accused with the allegations included in the FIR.

Judicial Magistrate Muhmmad Naeem Wattoo ordered that "without expressing any opinion on the ultimate merits of the case, I am of the tentative view that no case for extraordinary concession of post-arrest bail is made out. Consequently, the instant bail petition is dismissed."