A Lahore Sessions Court has granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javaid in a high-profile case involving allegations of uploading fabricated videos of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari.
Additional Sessions Judge Sajid Ahmed Chaudhry approved the bail application after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense teams. Javaid’s legal representation included advocates Mian Ali Ashfaq and Rana Rauf, who successfully argued for her release.
Background of the Case
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) apprehended Javaid from an Islamabad residence on September 24, 2024. The arrest followed an FIA Cyber Crime Wing case registered in August 2024 against six individuals, including Javaid, related to the circulation of allegedly doctored content.
Minister Azma Bukhari had previously approached the Lahore High Court expressing frustration over the FIA’s delayed response. She accused the agency of inaction despite filing complaints under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act against multiple suspects, including Javaid, Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum.
Legal Proceedings
Bukhari maintained that the fabricated content damaged her reputation and violated her constitutional rights. She criticized the FIA Cyber Wing for failing to take meaningful action against the social media accounts allegedly responsible for disseminating the controversial material.
The court’s decision to grant bail marks a significant development in this politically sensitive case that has drawn attention to digital rights and cybercrime regulations in Pakistan.
