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Legal Relief: Islamabad Court Grants Bail to Journalist Fakharur Rehman in PECA Case
An Islamabad judicial magistrate has granted post-arrest bail to senior journalist Fakharur Rehman against surety bonds of Rs 50,000. Arrested by the NCCIA under PECA laws, Rehman was accused alongside other high-profile media figures of spreading "misleading information" against state institutions. His defense successfully argued that he had merely shared a statement from a religious figure without adding personal commentary, leading the court to approve his release following his shift to judicial remand.
ND
by News Desk
2026-04-27
Legal Relief: Islamabad Court Grants Bail to Journalist Fakharur Rehman in PECA Case

The Legal Battle

Fakharur Rehman was among nine individuals—including high-profile media figures like Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada—named in an FIR filed on April 20. The NCCIA accused them of a "deliberate pattern" of spreading fake news and mocking state institutions on social media to incite public unrest and hatred.

During the hearing, Rehman’s lawyer, Barrister Ahad Khokhar, argued that:

  • No Personal Opinion: Rehman had simply shared a statement from a religious figure without adding his own commentary.

  • Health and Cooperation: The journalist is a senior citizen requiring regular medication, and since his mobile phone had already been seized, further detention was unnecessary.

  • Vague Charges: The defense labeled the case "baseless," noting the FIR failed to specify exactly what illegal act Rehman had committed.

The Court’s Decision

While the prosecution argued that journalists must exercise responsibility and accused the group of having "ulterior motives" to cause panic, the court sided with the defense. The magistrate approved the post-arrest bail, allowing Rehman’s release upon the submission of a Rs 50,000 surety bond.

Broader Context

The case highlights the ongoing tension between state authorities and media personnel over the use of PECA laws. The FIR specifically targets several overseas and local commentators, alleging that their digital activity is designed to malign government functionaries and create disorder within society.
Tagged:

#FakharurRehman #PECA #JournalismIsNotACrime #IslamabadCourt #NCCIA #FreedomOfSpeech #LegalUpdate #PakistanNews #BreakingNews #April2026 #MediaFreedom
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