Azma Bukhari fake video case update: bail plea sent to another bench

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has transferred the application seeking the cancellation of the accused’s bail in the case related to the viral fake video of Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari to another bench.

The case was being heard by LHC Chief Justice Alia Neelam, who was informed during proceedings that Azma Bukhari had filed the application for cancellation of the accused’s bail.

The petitioner highlighted that the accused has repeatedly failed to appear before the trial court, causing continuous adjournments and delaying the progress of the trial. The petitioner also urged the court to cancel the accused’s bail to ensure the trial proceeds without further delays.

In response, CJ Neelam, considering the nature of the case, instructed that the application be transferred to another bench for further proceedings.

Earlier in August, FIA moved to contact Interpol for the arrest of four individuals accused of uploading a fake video of Azma Bukhari. According to the FIA officials, the four suspects, all Pakistani nationals, are operating their social media accounts from abroad.

The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing has already registered a case against six suspects, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Falak Javaid.  The FIA officials said that for the arrest of Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum, the agency plans to get help from Interpol.

The case also includes ten social media accounts that shared the videos on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, with summons issued to them. Bukhari has also criticised the FIA Cyber Wing for their inaction, accusing them of only collecting salaries without taking any steps against the social media accounts involved.