Raoof Hasan, others remanded in FIA’s custody for two days

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan in the District and Sessions court today, after completion of three-day physical remand.

Duty Judge Mureed Abbas presided over the session. The case, registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), also involves PTI social media activist Syeda Arooba, who was arrested by the FIA yesterday. She was also presented in the court.

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Ali Bukhari, the defence lawyer representing the PTI members, argued before the court, stating that Syeda Arooba, who manages PTI’s social media accounts, was arrested from her hostel, which he claims is against the law. Bukhari argued that the FIA could have issued a notice to Arooba instead of arresting her.

Bukhari further contended that the physical remand was unnecessary as all relevant mobile phones had already been seized by the FIA. He referenced a decision by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that mobile phones and laptops should be returned to the accused.

He also noted discrepancies in the First Information Report (FIR), such as incomprehensible timestamps and the absence of Arooba’s name.

The FIA prosecutor countered by stating that the remand was essential to uncover the connections of the arrested individuals. The prosecutor noted that Raoof Hasan, despite his claims of not being responsible for PTI’s social media, has relations with those detained. Other arrested PTI workers include Afaq, Zeeshan, Rashid, Osama, and Azhar Mashwani.

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After hearing both sides, Judge Mureed Abbas reserved the verdict on the physical remand of Raoof Hasan and others. Later the court announced the verdict, granting a two-day physical remand.

The FIA had initially requested an eight-day remand but was granted a two-day remand for Hasan and others. Syeda Arooba, however, was sent to judicial remand.