Maps
Magazine

LEGAL

Islamabad Court Grants Bail to Journalist Waheed Murad
Journalist Waheed Murad granted post-arrest bail by an Islamabad court after two-day remand in a cybercrime case. His arrest had sparked concerns over press freedom.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-28
Islamabad Court Grants Bail to Journalist Waheed Murad

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Friday granted post-arrest bail to journalist Waheed Murad in a cybercrime case against Rs20,000 surety bonds, following his two-day physical remand under the country’s cybercrime laws.

Murad was arrested earlier this week for allegedly posting "intimidating content" online, prompting his family to file a petition for his recovery in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). His mother-in-law, Abida Nawaz, had claimed that he was “forcibly disappeared” from his home in the federal capital by unknown individuals.

Court Proceedings and Bail Decision

Murad was produced before Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) upon completion of his remand. His legal team, comprising lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, argued that the journalist had merely quoted Balochistan National Party (BNP) leader Akhtar Mengal in his posts.

During the hearing, the FIA’s investigation officer claimed that Murad’s post referenced Mengal’s statement about an alleged “Baloch genocide.” The court initially set the bail amount at Rs50,000 but later reduced it to Rs20,000 on the request of his lawyers. Murad was released after the surety bonds were submitted.

Meanwhile, the court disposed of the application challenging his remand after it was withdrawn in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majuka.

The Petition and Allegations

Murad’s mother-in-law had filed a petition in the IHC, alleging that intelligence agencies were involved in his “enforced disappearance” and that she herself was manhandled during the raid on his home. She urged the court to direct authorities to disclose Murad’s whereabouts and the charges against him.

It later emerged that the FIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre had registered an FIR against Murad under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, including charges of glorification of an offence, cyber-terrorism, and spreading false information.

The FIR alleged that Murad had shared "highly intimidating content" about Balochistan and a FactFocus report by journalist Ahmad Noorani, which discussed the alleged financial assets of the army chief’s family.

Concerns Over Press Freedom

Murad’s arrest and subsequent bail have sparked concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Pakistan. His lawyer, Mazari-Hazir, stated that the pattern of his arrest was similar to previous cases of enforced disappearances.

Press freedom advocates and rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater protections for journalists, especially in cases involving political or security-related reporting.
Tagged:

Pakistan

journalism

PressFreedom

CyberLaws

WaheedMurad
Share News: