Court approves bail of PTI activist Falak Javaid

LAHORE: A local court in Lahore has approved the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javaid in a case about the uploading of ‘fake videos’ of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on social media.

The Lahore sessions court granted bail to the PTI’s social media activist after completing arguments from both sides.

Falak Javaid was defended by lawyers Mian Ali Ashfaq and Rana Rauf, whereas the post-arrest bail hearing was presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Sajid Ahmed Chaudhry.

Falak Javaid was arrested by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) from a flat in Islamabad on September 24.

The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing had opened a case against six suspects, including Falak Javaid, in August 2024 in connection with the fake video case.

Following FIA’s inaction, Azma Bukhari knocked on the doors of the Lahore High Court, requesting action against those who were sharing duplicate pictures and videos of her on social media.

Azma Bukhari criticized the FIA Cyber Wing for not taking any action, blaming them for drawing salaries but taking no action against the social media accounts concerned.

The minister indicated that a request was sent to the FIA under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to act against Falak and Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum, but nothing was done by the agency.

The minister had indicated that she was defamed on social media and her constitutional rights were breached.