ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad on Monday granted bail to senior journalist Fakhar Rehman in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), ending his brief detention by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Rehman, a prominent media figure, was arrested from his residence in the capital on the night of April 24-25 by the NCCIA. The agency had sought his physical remand for up to 30 days, alleging that he, along with eight others, had spread “false and misleading information” against state institutions via the social media platform X. The FIR, dated April 20, invoked Sections 20 and 26-A of PECA, accusing the group of inciting hatred and unrest.
During the hearing before District Magistrate and Civil Judge Yasir Mahmood, the defence, led by Barrister Ahad Khokhar, contended that Rehman had already complied with an earlier NCCIA notice issued on April 14. The lawyer further argued that the alleged post was merely a share of news content which had since been deleted and that his client’s involvement was not clearly established.
https://archive.mmnews.tv/islamabed-court-reserves-judgement-on-physical-remand-of-journalist-fakhar-rehman/
The court rejected the NCCIA’s request for physical remand, ordering instead that Rehman be sent to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand. Later in the day, the court granted him post-arrest bail on surety bonds of Rs100,000, a figure reportedly reduced to Rs50,000 following a plea by the defence counsel.
Rehman is expected to be released after completing the necessary legal formalities. The case has drawn sharp criticism from journalist unions and human rights groups, who warn of the increasing use of cybercrime laws to curb press freedom and silence critical voices on social media.
