Previously, on March 14, Judge Dilawar had postponed the hearing, deferring any action on Toor’s bail application until March 18.
Toor was apprehended by the FIA on February 26 on charges of orchestrating a ‘malicious campaign’ against the superior judiciary.
Toor’s bail hearing took place in the courtroom Amir Farooq, Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Representing the journalist, lawyer Imaan Mazari appeared in the court. A large group of journalists was also present in the courtroom.
During the proceedings, CJ IHC assured Mazari that, “Do not let your anxiety overwhelm you. I understand that Toor is a journalist, and I see the rationale behind Judge Humayun Dilawar handling the bail application administratively. Any actions taken will be in compliance with the law. I will explore all available avenues.”
Mazari has petitioned CJ IHC to personally preside over the bail application. He responded by saying that even if there have been missteps, “rectification within legal bounds is feasible. We will explore administrative options to address the matter.”
At the close of the hearing, the IHC issued an order, instructing the trial court to reach a decision on the bail application the following day.
It is noteworthy that the trial court had initially set the bail application hearing for Monday, March 18.
On February 26, 2018, Toor faced allegations from the FIA for orchestrating a campaign against the judiciary, following the Supreme Court’s decision to strip the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of the election symbol of bat. On February 27, Toor was granted a five-day physical remand in a case involving a malicious campaign against of the superior judiciary.
On March 3, the District and Sessions Court of Islamabad extended his physical remand by three days, and was transferred to the custody of the FIA for an additional two-day physical remand.
On March 8, the local court of Islamabad dismissed the request for further physical remand in the case involving campaigning against institutions and remanded him to judicial custody.