The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its verdict on journalist Asad Toor’s petition challenging his arrest and alleged harassment by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq expressed concern over discrepancies between the inquiry initiated by the FIA and the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Toor.
Toor was arrested in connection with a case accusing him of running a campaign against institutions, particularly targeting the judiciary on social media platforms. His physical remand was extended by two days by a Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Shabbir’s court.
The FIR alleges that Toor engaged in anti-state activities through social media and violated the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. However, the court observed differences between the summon notice and the FIR, raising questions about the legality of Toor’s arrest.
Toor’s lawyer, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, argued for the declaration of her client’s arrest as illegal, highlighting discrepancies between the notice and the FIR. The IHC Chief Justice emphasized the need for transparency in cases involving the judiciary and armed forces, urging clarity on the reasons for prosecuting the suspect.
In response, the FIA’s counsel argued against the court’s authority to take suo motu notice, stating that the FIR was registered after the petition was filed in court.
Previously, a joint investigation team (JIT) was formed by the caretaker government to probe the anti-judiciary campaign on digital platforms. Multiple journalists, including Toor, were summoned by the JIT to appear for questioning regarding the campaign.
The court’s decision on Toor’s petition will shed light on the legality of his arrest and the handling of cases involving alleged campaigns against state institutions on social media platforms.
