Journalist Aslam Shah | Pakistan

Journalist Aslam Shah was granted bail on Wednesday, a week after his arrest on the charges of “defamation through social media” under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). In a hearing held today on his bail application, Judicial Magistrate (South) granted Shah bail and directed him to submit surety bonds of Rs30,000. A large number of journalists were present at the hearing, while the lawyer representing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Shiraz Rajper, appeared as well. On January 7, the NCCIA arrested Shah on charges of “defamation through social media”. Shah had moved an application through his counsel, Nasir Ahmed, before the Judicial Magistrate (South), seeking post-arrest bail in the case. On January 12, the magistrate took up the bail plea, but an NCCIA official appeared and informed the court that the investigating officer was on leave and that the case file was not available with the prosecution. He requested that the matter be adjourned to Jan 14. In the application, ...