ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: The government is examining the possibility of presenting additional evidence against the two French journalists and their Pakistani associates on charges of conspiring to defame the state of Pakistan and fabricating false evidence, sources close to the investigation told Dawn.

“We are examining all possibilities (in this regard),” secretary interior Tasnim Noorani said.

As the lawyer representing the detained journalists is likely to move the high court against rejection of the bail today (Monday), sources said, adding that the FIA would present additional evidence to the court of the additional district and sessions judge, Karachi South on Dec 24.

An interior ministry official said the FIA has collected incriminating evidence about what he termed an attempt to defame Pakistan. The Pakistani associates of French journalists, Khawar Mehdi Rizvi and the people “are being interrogated,” official sources said.