{"id":8360,"date":"2020-01-23T14:21:30","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T09:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pakistanpressfoundation.org\/?p=97652"},"modified":"2020-01-23T14:21:30","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T09:21:30","slug":"bail-denied-to-journalist-accused-of-making-anti-state-remarks-on-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanfoemonitor.org\/bail-denied-to-journalist-accused-of-making-anti-state-remarks-on-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Bail denied to journalist accused of making \u2018anti-state\u2019 remarks on social media"},"content":{"rendered":"
LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Thursday denied bail to journalist Azharul Haq, who has been accused of making \u2018anti-state\u2019 remarks and criticising former military strongman General (r) Pervez Musharraf on the social media.<\/p>\n
Presenting his arguments, Haq\u2019s lawyer told Judicial Magistrate Amir Raza that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has leveled a baseless allegation against his client.<\/p>\n
The Constitution allows freedom of expression, he said, adding that the journalist has just been arrested to spread fear among members of the media.<\/p>\n
The FIA, on the other hand, presented evidence against the journalist.<\/p>\n
On January 17, Haq was remanded into the FIA custody for defaming state institutions.<\/p>\n
An FIR has been registered against Wahid under sections 11 (hate speech) and 20 (harming the reputation or privacy of a natural person) of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016, and Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code.<\/p>\n
A person can be imprisoned for up to seven years or fined under Section 11. Section 20 is punishable by a jail term of three and\/or a fine of Rs1 million, while the maximum sentence under Section 505 is seven years.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n