Podcaster Rehan Tariq Released on Bail
4 days ago
At a glance
- Journalist Rehan Tariq was granted post-arrest bail.
- He was arrested under blasphemy laws and PECA.
- Tariq has now been released from custody.
Story so far
Journalist and podcaster Rehan Tariq was arrested by the NCCIA at Lahore airport in connection with a podcast allegedly discussing sensitive sectarian issues. A Lahore Sessions Court later granted him post-arrest bail against surety bonds of Rs100,000, noting that he was a journalist and his intentions were not necessarily mala fide. The court also observed that the NCCIA had completed its investigation. Tariq has now been released.
Latest development
Journalist and podcaster Rehan Tariq has been released from custody after a Lahore Sessions Court granted him post-arrest bail in a case registered under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Latest updates
Journalist and podcaster Rehan Tariq has been released following the Lahore Sessions Court’s approval of his post-arrest bail application.
A Lahore Sessions Court on Tuesday granted post-arrest bail to podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under blasphemy laws and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). While allowing the bail petition, the court observed that the petitioner was a journalist and it could not be concluded that he had asked questions with mala fide intentions. The court further noted that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had completed its investigation and Tariq was no longer required for further probe. The bail was allowed subject to furnishing surety bonds.
The NCCIA had registered the case against Tariq under Section 11 of the PECA 2016, along with Sections 153-A, 295-A and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The agency alleged that Tariq conducted a podcast with a religious scholar in which highly sensitive and controversial sectarian issues were discussed, allegedly creating controversy among followers of different sects.
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