Senior Pakistani journalist Waheed Murad has been remanded into the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for two days in connection with a case related to spreading fake news. His arrest, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, has sparked outrage as he claims he was blindfolded for hours and subjected to unlawful treatment. His defense team is challenging the legality of the arrest and demanding access to the First Information Report (FIR).
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Murad was taken into custody from his residence in Islamabad, where his ailing mother-in-law was also present. He was presented before Magistrate Abbas Shah’s court, where he stated that he was only handed over to the FIA shortly before the hearing.
During the proceedings, Murad’s lawyer, Hadi Ali, argued that law enforcement officials had forcefully entered his home and mistreated his mother-in-law. Another defense lawyer, Imaan Mazari, informed the court that a petition had already been filed against Murad’s alleged illegal detention.
The FIA prosecutor confirmed that Murad had been arrested the previous night. They accused him of sharing a social media post related to a banned organization in Balochistan. The prosecution requested further investigation into his social media activity and sought the recovery of his mobile phone.
Mazari questioned the necessity of the journalist’s remand and asked whether the FIA had issued any prior notice before taking him into custody. Hadi Ali strongly criticized the ongoing crackdown on journalists, stating, “Journalism has become a crime in this country. Journalists are being arrested to silence them.”
Read:Â PM Shehbaz Calls Digital Ramadan Relief Package Model for Future Schemes
Murad’s Claims of Mistreatment
Murad revealed in court that he was arrested at 3am, blindfolded, and kept in that state for hours. He said his blindfold was removed only 20 minutes before his court appearance.
The FIA has registered a case against him under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The charges include glorification of an offense (Section 9), cyber terrorism (Section 10), malicious code (Section 20), and other related offenses under Section 26.
Legal Challenge and Petition for Recovery
Following Murad’s disappearance, his mother-in-law filed a petition through Advocates Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, demanding his immediate recovery. The petition names the interior secretary, defense secretary, Islamabad police chief, and the Karachi Company police station’s station house officer (SHO) as respondents.
According to the petition, armed men in black uniforms arrived at their home in Sector G-8 at 2am. Two police vehicles were also seen at the scene. The petition alleges that these unidentified individuals forcibly took Murad away and misbehaved with the family.
A complaint was filed at the Karachi Company police station, but no FIR was registered. The petition calls for immediate legal action against those responsible for what it describes as an unlawful abduction.
Growing Concerns Over Press Freedom
Murad’s arrest has intensified concerns over press freedom in Pakistan. His defense team insists that his detention is an attempt to suppress independent journalism. Human rights organizations and journalist groups are closely watching the case, demanding transparency and adherence to legal procedures.
The court has granted a two-day remand, and Murad remains in FIA custody as investigations continue. The coming days will be crucial in determining the legal course of action and whether the case against him holds ground.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
