Freedom of expression: Bail application rejected

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Monday dismissed the bail application of a man arrested for distributing literature against Pakistan Army.  Ghulam Mustafa’s counsel told the court that his client had not distributed any objectionable material. He said that he was distributing material based on his ideas and there was nothing provocative about them. He said his client had a right to express his opinion about the country’s situation. He said right to freedom of expression was enshrined in the Constitution. A deputy prosecutor opposed the petition, saying Akbari Gate police had arrested Mujtaba for distributing two objectionable books, Rah-i-Nijat and Raha-i-Halakat, and other provocative material against the armed forces. He said Mujtaba was inciting people against the Pakistani state and its institutions and should not be granted bail.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2015.