ISLAMABAD: Islamabad District and Sessions Court granted an extension to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan’s physical remand by three days.
Judicial Magistrate Shabbir Bhatti announced the reserved verdict on the FIA plea seeking an extension of physical remand for the PTI spokesperson and several other members of the PTI media cell in the case related to alleged involvement in spreading anti-state propaganda.
Judicial Magistrate also heard the bail application of women arrested from the PTI Secretariat in Islamabad. During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor argued that these women were employed within the party’s media cell when the campaign against state institutions was launched.
Despite the prosecutor’s arguments, the court decided to release the two women on bail, requiring each to furnish a surety bond of Rs. 50,000.
Earlier, PTI leader Raoof Hasan appeared before the court today following the conclusion of his two-day physical remand.
Hasan, along with 11 other individuals, faced charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). He was apprehended by Islamabad Police on July 22 during a raid on the PTI secretariat. Subsequently, on July 23, the District and Sessions Court granted a two-day physical remand to the FIA.
During the court session, the FIA argued for an extension of the remand, citing ongoing investigations into social media accounts and Gmail logins linked to the case. The agency asserted that the suspects operated WhatsApp groups involving international members and possessed fake accounts on their mobile phones.
They alleged that Hasan, as head of the PTI media wing, orchestrated campaigns against the judiciary and government administration. The FIA prosecutor mentioned that they have the authority under PECA to seek a 30-day remand in such cases.
In another development, the District and Sessions Court granted bail to two female members of the PTI media cell named Farhat and Iqra, who were similarly charged under PECA.
