Islamabad (Web Desk): An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Tuesday approved the bail petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan in a terrorism -related case.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra approved the PTI leader's bail petition against surety bonds worth Rs200,000.
During the hearing today, Ali Zafar, the lawyer of Rauf Hassan, while giving arguments, said that that his client was not named in the case and that his name was later added to it.
He said that a case was registered against Rauf Hassan for misuse of social media and now a case has been registered for giving money to purchase explosives.
Ali Zafar lamented the filing of cases by opponents for political vengeance.
Addressing the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) investigating officer of the case, Judge Sipra asked: "Was the third suspect arrested?"
The officer responded saying that the third accused had not yet been arrested.
Prosecutor Naveed told the court that Raoof Hasan was named in the case immediately after Janjua's statement was recorded. He requested that the court reject Hasan's bail petition.
The judge later asked the prosecutor if money was recovered from Janjua or Hasan. Responding to this, he said: " Money recovered from Ahmed Waqas Janjua was given by Raoof Hasan."
Hasan's lawyer argued that it is important to see his client's status in the terrorism case.
"There is no evidence against Raoof Hasan that directly links him to the crime. Ahmad Waqas Janjua's statement is not presented, but Raoof Hasan has been nominated," he said.
The lawyer argued that Raoof Hasan is arrested in another case as soon as he is granted bail. He, before completing his arguments, insisted that his client's plea could not be affected even if Janjua's bail had been rejected.
PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen, who was also presented in the court, argued that Hasan was arrested in the terrorism case after a seven-day physical remand.
He said that purpose of filing cases against Rauf Hassan was to confine Rauf in Jail. Ha said that the PTI leader has been nominated to take political revenge.
The judge then questioned if the Terrorism Act required viewing a schedule of events.
Earlier on August 3, the ATC sent Raoof Hasan on 14-day judicial remand in a terrorism-related case.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra had dismissed the plea seeking PTI leader’s physical remand for seven days.
Advocate Ali Bukhari appeared on behalf of Raoof Hassan. He also filed a post-arrest bail for his client. Over which, the court issued notices for August 6.
Currently, Hasan is also nominated in a case related to anti-state propaganda, but he has secured bail in it. However, since he's on remand in the terrorism case, he will remain in the prison.
A local court in Islamabad on Thursday granted bail to Raoof Hassan and others in anti-state propaganda case.
Hasan, who was arrested on July 22, was initially placed on a two-day remand, followed by a three-day extension, and then another two-day remand for further investigation.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked PTI’s information secretary and several media cell members for their alleged involvement in a digital media cell accused of running anti-Pakistan propaganda.
The FIR, filed by the FIA, claimed that PTI activist Ahmad Waqas Janjua revealed during questioning that he, along with the party’s leadership and media cell members, were involved in anti-state activities.
The charges against the 12 suspects including two women, fall under sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber-terrorism), and 11 (hate speech) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).