Karachi court grants bail to journalist Iqrar ul Hassan in anti-state posts case

A sessions court in Karachi has granted bail to Pakistani journalist and Awami Raj Party chief Iqrar ul Hassan in a case involving allegations of spreading anti-state content on social media, Daily Pakistan reported. The court approved the bail application against surety bonds worth Rs200,000.

According to the report, Judicial Magistrate Gulraiz Memon approved the bail after hearing arguments from the defence and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

Defence counsel Ahmed Masood told the court that the investigation challan had already been submitted and that the journalist's mobile devices were in the agency's possession. The NCCIA reportedly told the court that no further investigation involving Hassan was required, though the forensic examination report was still pending.

The case was registered under several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including cyberterrorism, cyberstalking and dissemination of false information. Hassan's lawyers have maintained that his social media commentary did not constitute a criminal offence.

Hassan was taken into custody from DHA Lahore and moved to Karachi. On October 19, the NCCIA sought an extension of his physical remand. The court rejected that request, sent him to prison on judicial remand and directed the agency to submit the case challan within 14 days.

Three days after the remand decision, on October 22, a judicial magistrate in Karachi's East district dismissed his first bail petition. The latest order has now reversed that position.

Hassan's release is possible once the required surety bonds are furnished. Bail does not amount to an acquittal, and the allegations remain subject to further legal proceedings.