Feb 27, 2024
Bilal Baseer
ISLAMABAD:
On Tuesday, Judicial Magistrate of Islamabad, Muhammad Shabbir, granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a five-day physical remand of journalist Asad Ali Toor for further interrogation in a case concerning an online campaign against the judiciary.
Toor, when brought to the Islamabad district and session court by the FIA, affirmed that he had not experienced violence in custody.
According to the FIA, Toor is accused of spreading fear among the public and civil servants by disseminating disinformation. A case under the PECA Act 2016 has been registered against him for conducting a malicious campaign on YouTube and Twitter, targeting public servants and state institutions.
Toor disclosed in court that he had appeared twice before CCW FIA after receiving a notice on February 24.
Representing Toor, lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari informs Voicepk that on February 26, she approached the High Court against the call-up notices. On the same day, at 4:30 pm, they presented the High Court’s order to the CCW FIA office, seeking clarification on the allegations.
“My client Toor was detained and I was not permitted to meet him,” she claims.
On the request of the lawyer, the court granted a meeting for Toor with his legal team. Later, the FIA sought a five-day physical remand for Asad Toor, a request that was approved by the court.
Afzal Butt, President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, states that they have not yet decided on staging protests in this matter.
Meanwhile, civil society activists and prominent media figures staged a protest outside the National Press Club on Tuesday to advocate for justice and freedom of speech.