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.
The FIA has filed charges against the PTI information secretary and several other members of the PTI media cell for allegedly spreading anti-state propaganda.
Earlier, PTI leader Raoof Hasan appeared before the Islamabad District and Sessions Court today following the conclusion of his two-day physical remand. The FIA requested an extension of physical remand for Hasan and other suspects implicated in the case. The court granted bail to two female members of the PTI media cell who were arrested.
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 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.
At the hearing, the FIA prosecutor contended that these women were employed within the media cell and presented evidence substantiating the charges against them, asserting they were recruited for a specific role.
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.