An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad approved the bail application of senior journalist Matiullah Jan on Saturday in a case involving charges of terrorism and narcotics possession.
Bail Granted by ATC
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing and granted bail to the journalist against a surety bond worth Rs10,000. The decision came two days after Jan’s arrest by Islamabad Police at the E-9 checkpoint.
Allegations Against Matiullah Jan
The journalist was accused of assaulting police officers, forcibly seizing their weapons, and issuing threats. Additionally, the police claimed to have found narcotics, including the drug “ice,” in his vehicle. The charges against him include:
- Section 279 (rash driving)
- Section 353 (assault on a public servant)
- Section 382 (theft with preparation for harm)
- Section 427 (mischief causing damage)
- Section 506 (criminal intimidation)
- Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (7 ATA)
- A narcotics-related section
Following his arrest, Jan was initially remanded into police custody for two days by the ATC. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) later suspended this remand.
Criticism and Condemnation
Jan’s arrest sparked widespread condemnation from media organizations, human rights bodies, and political figures. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, termed the case “fabricated.”
Similarly, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) veteran and former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani urged the government to release Jan. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui also expressed disappointment over the incident, calling it “deeply saddening.”
