ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former Minister Fawad Chaudhry has been released from jail hours after court approved his bail plea.

Earlier, district and sessions court in federal capital had granted post-arrest bail to Fawad Chaudhry in sedition case registered against him for hurling threats at officials of Election Commission of Pakistan.

Additional Sessions Judge Faizan Haider Gillani approved bail against surety bonds worth Rs 20,000. "I am granting bail to Fawad on one condition that he would not issue such statements against institutions," judge remarked, adding that parliamentarians should avoid giving such remarks.

Judge ordered police to release PTI leader. Sessions court has rejected prosecutor and ECP counsel's request for turning down bail petition.

During hearing, Babar Awan, counsel for PTI leader argued that electoral body was not state, adding that sedition section had been politicised in case. He said his client had been nominated in fake case. "Saying to someone that I will take action against you does not mean threat," Awan said.

In his bail petition, Chaudhry stated that he "has falsely been involved in instant case by complainant with mala fide intention and ulterior motives just to harass, pressurise and blackmail present petitioner, whereas, allegations levelled in FIR are absolutely false, frivolous and baseless and petitioner is quite innocent. Moreover, petitioner has no link or concern with commission of alleged offence".

"That petitioner was arrested in aforementioned FIR illegally unlawfully and without any Justification in negation to law and Constitutional rights of petitioner, hence, petitioner seeks remedy of bail after arrest from this Court," it said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 02 2023

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