PTI activist Falak Javaid granted bail

LAHORE: A local court in Lahore has approved the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javaid in a case pertaining to the uploading of ‘fake videos’ of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on social media.

The Lahore sessions court granted bail to the PTI’s social media activist after completing arguments from both sides.

Falak Javaid was represented by advocates Mian Ali Ashfaq and Rana Rauf, while the hearing on post-arrest bail was conducted by Additional Sessions Judge Sajid Ahmed Chaudhry.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had arrested Falak Javaid from a flat in Islamabad on September 24.

In August 2024, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing had registered a case against six suspects, including Falak Javaid, over the fake video case.

After FIA’s inaction, Azma Bukhari approached the Lahore High Court seeking action against those involved in sharing fake pictures and videos of her on social media.

Azma Bukhari had criticised the FIA Cyber Wing for their inaction, accusing them of only collecting salaries without taking any steps against the social media accounts involved.

The minister said a request was made to the FIA under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to take action against Falak and Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum, but the agency did not take any action.

The minister had said that she was defamed on social media and that her constitutional rights were violated.