Kohli’s fan bailed out

E-Paper | June 25, 2026

OKARA: The additional district and sessions court admitted bail plea of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s fan Umer Daraz who has been behind bars for over a month.

Daraz was arrested on Jan 25 for hoisting an Indian flag on the rooftop of his house in 54-2L village. On Feb 18, local magistrate Aneeq Anwer had rejected his bail plea.

Later, advocates Rizwan and Muhammad Yousaf applied for his bail with the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Asadullah Siraj.

On Friday, after examining police and judicial case files and hearing arguments of both sides, the court admitted Daraz’s bail plea and ordered him to furnish a surety bond worth Rs50,000.

By the time the hearing finished, the court time had ended so Daraz will submit the bond on Saturday and get bail.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2016

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Newspaper

‘Kohli fan’ held for hoisting Indian flag in Okara

Kohli’s blasts behind Indian flag saga

Should there be no Indian cricket fans in Pakistan?

N_Saq

Feb 27, 2016 10:05am

Good. Hope saner heads prevail and court dismisses his case with just a warning.

Recommend 0

Awais Ali

Feb 27, 2016 10:09am

What way to bail out. Hope he watch the match today and will support Kholi but will not raise the india flag on his home the non sense he committed last time.

Recommend 0

Desi Dimag

Feb 27, 2016 10:12am

His act was not anti-national. he is a fan of a cricketer not terrorist.

Recommend 0

Farhan

Feb 27, 2016 10:24am

Free speech is getting some acceptability.

Recommend 0

R.S. Menon

Feb 27, 2016 10:24am

Hoisting of the Indian flag by him is a serious offence which should not go unpunished. I have been a fan of the gentleman Inzi but will never hoist a Pak flag. R.S. Menon, Bangalore

Recommend 0

Adeel Abbas

Feb 27, 2016 10:30am

Dear Umer Daraz, I am not a fan of Kohli, but I've become a fan of yours. There should be no limits in liking or disliking any players in the world. I support you. Keep it up.

Recommend 0

zulu

Feb 27, 2016 10:33am

best luck for omar daraz we should be now a citizen of a world peace as Imran Khan said admiring kohli and indian flag should not be an offence .more how long more we could be enemyies yes i wish today pakistan to be a winner and proud to be a winner as pakistani

Recommend 0

zulu

Feb 27, 2016 10:34am

Imran khan speaks about this guy yesterday and he is out IK bravo

Recommend 0

Feb 27, 2016 10:41am

Great. I do not like cricket. But I'am an admirer of Mr. Umar Daraz. How fearless and adamant on his decision, with innocent heart. He is blessed by almighty for his quality.

Recommend 0

Rohit

Feb 27, 2016 10:46am

One month for silly fanfare......the least Kohli can do is send the poor chap some meaningful gift!

Recommend 0

Third Party

Feb 27, 2016 10:53am

50000 for a tailor is huge amount to cough-up...Please leave the poor guy...

Recommend 0

aam admi

Feb 27, 2016 10:56am

what is bail out in cricket/????????????

Recommend 0

Dipak Singh

Feb 27, 2016 11:10am

Bail against what?? Rs. 50,000/- is that crime act or only a mistake?

Recommend 0

Satt

Feb 27, 2016 11:21am

As an Indian,India win or lose today I will fire crackers for this boy got the bail.

Recommend 0

BRILLIANT LOGIC

Feb 27, 2016 11:33am

He is not a terrorist, extremist or fundamentalist. He is just a fan. Love has no boundaries.

Recommend 0

pavan

Feb 27, 2016 11:35am

He is famous for Pakistani Kohli's fan rather than his name now. Being fan and hoisting other country's flag is different issue.Irrespective of tension between the two Nations this chap has Proved that the true fanism never dies.Being an Indian ,after kargil war i have removed posters of Wasim akram from my room.But this man made me to think to put back those poster and restore the Fanism .

Recommend 0

Rabah

Feb 27, 2016 11:42am

I have seen hundreds of people wearing the American, British, Canadian etc etc flags as T-shirts or bandannas, why aren't they arrested??

Recommend 0

wellwisher

Feb 27, 2016 12:13pm

thank you.Can an average citizen pay Rs.50000/-. Why not let him off with a warning, unless he shouted anti national slogans

Recommend 0

nurul huda

Feb 27, 2016 12:13pm

How lucky he is!! Finally, he get chance to catch the high voltage game of ind vs pak. But, the question arise is: Is he going to support india (kohli factor) or pakistan ( nationality)?

Recommend 0

Pankaj Tiwari

Feb 27, 2016 12:26pm

He will watch today's match...lol..ROFL...Kohli rocks...

Recommend 0

Don't ask

Feb 27, 2016 12:28pm

@Rohit They released him just in time for today's Asia Cup encounter. Hope the case is dismissed with at most a warning.

Recommend 0

Rohit Singh

Feb 27, 2016 12:51pm

Welcome back bro

Recommend 0

virendra

Feb 27, 2016 12:58pm

a good decision by giving bail to Virat Kohli’s fan Umer Daraz

Recommend 0

virendra

Feb 27, 2016 01:05pm

Dear Umer Daraz,Hope today you will see & enjoy Asia Cup Match Between India & Pak.i too a great FAN of Virat Kohli.Respect to a die hard FAN Umer Daraz from India.

Recommend 0

shans

Feb 27, 2016 01:14pm

Umar daraz prooves,Cricket has no religion,boundaries,just pure passion for excellence. Thanks PK for release!!!

Recommend 0

Anwar

Feb 27, 2016 01:17pm

Don't let your spirits dampen. Support Kohli today wholeheartedly. Your life your decision!

Recommend 0

kkk

Feb 27, 2016 01:25pm

Virat Kohli should do something like invite this guy Umer Daraz to India to see Indo Pak world cup encounter with all expenses paid. As messi done to his little fan in afganistan

Recommend 0

naqeeb

Feb 27, 2016 02:02pm

no need to raise flag of any country.

Recommend 0

Vinie

Feb 27, 2016 02:25pm

This innocent guy is unawares about the laws and rules..atleast they can warn him first but they punished hard..sympathy with this guy.

Recommend 0

Shahdab

Feb 27, 2016 02:27pm

Dear Umar - Please support whoever you are a fan of wholeheartedly but please don't hoist flags in future. All the best.

Recommend 0

Sharif Khan

Feb 27, 2016 02:27pm

Pakistanis love so many indian stuff. And so does Indians. But you don't need to display it with flag on your rooftop. Umer Daraz is a simple person and splicity was his crime. Will there be reflection or rehabilitation for him?

Recommend 0

Shyam Kokku

Feb 27, 2016 02:28pm

Hats off to this judge. It is very sensitive when it comes to cases such as this. But the court showed large hearted-ness and sportsman spirit.

Recommend 0

Manoj

Feb 27, 2016 02:31pm

He'll never want to see an Indian flag ever again !!!

Recommend 0

Iqbal Aswani

Feb 27, 2016 02:58pm

@R.S. Menon Fully agree. Hoisting flag is a national identity. Well, if he is Kohli's fan, its not a big deal. He might wander around wearing kohli's shirt or maybe change his name to Umer kohli. Nobody cares. But sorry, people crying foul here does not know the meaning of national identity. A flag doesn't represent being Kohli's fan in any way.

Recommend 0

varun singh

Feb 27, 2016 02:58pm

@zulu best of luck to pakistan team for todays match from indian brother

Recommend 0

Mrs. Phannay Khan

Feb 27, 2016 03:28pm

The Nelson Mandela of cricket!

Recommend 0

Indian

Feb 27, 2016 03:52pm

@R.S. Menon no one cares what you would and wouldn't do. How is raising Brazil's flag by soccer fan acceptable then?

Recommend 0

Ashutosh Mishra

Feb 27, 2016 04:15pm

May the lad also learn to keep a lid on his emotions and suffer silently the spinoffs of the political rivalry between the governments of his country and mine.

Recommend 0

Hashim Rubnawaz

Feb 27, 2016 04:23pm

@Rabah Hoisting a flag from your rooftop and wear semi flag on t-shirt is not same. When people hoist a flag and that is to say from Roof top, the highest point from his residence, he was declaring India , that space and surrounding area , Waving a flag at games in favor of India is acceptable but not hoisting from your rooftop, unless it is consulate, embassy or another official premises. don't cry he is poor tailor.

Recommend 0

Ashok

Feb 27, 2016 04:36pm

@R.S. Menon It was an act of pure innocence driven by an admiration for India's captain. He explained the reasoning behind it. Unfortunately many do not understand that there people who view sports just as sports, without any political undertone.

Recommend 0

Philosopher (from Japan)

Feb 27, 2016 04:39pm

Is love for cricket above the love for country???

Recommend 0

Rohit

Feb 27, 2016 04:59pm

He looks so shocked man! Poor guy couldn't fathom the hatred for these 2 countries have for each other! Bro, we are not the US and Canada! Stay safe.

Recommend 0

Kashif

Feb 27, 2016 05:28pm

Umer akmal release for match...

Recommend 0

Muhammed Ali UK

Feb 27, 2016 05:55pm

He should have listened to his neighbours and friends...well he wont do it again..i think

Recommend 0

sfunds

Feb 27, 2016 06:18pm

@R.S. Menon That is because People in both countries treat oother as enemy. else what is wroong in hoisting another countrry flag

Recommend 0

shah g

Feb 27, 2016 06:20pm

Hoisting a flag of other country is not a very big offence. I live in Germany and here I see on every other house flags of different countries hanging on balconies. Even I hoisted once on independence day Pakistani flag on my balcony but I was not arrested. I wonder why hoisting a flag of other country is offence in india or pakistan.

Recommend 0

Phoenix

Feb 27, 2016 06:44pm

Over a month detention of poor sport loving guy is enough. He should be pardoned , that's it.

Recommend 0

ROHIT PANDEY

Feb 27, 2016 06:58pm

Nice...stay out of trouble, but, do enjoy cricket and whatever you like to do?:)

Recommend 0

wizard

Feb 27, 2016 07:11pm

He was innocent as not aware of fanatic hate against each other contry

Recommend 0

suma

Feb 27, 2016 07:39pm

The right move by court,

Recommend 0

Kris

Feb 27, 2016 07:45pm

For all the hatred that exists between the two countries, I find his innocence refreshing. I don't think there was any malevolence in his act.

Recommend 0

Abdulla Hussain

Feb 27, 2016 08:21pm

Made to enjoyed the music of his life. Hope all such fans & aspirants get a lesson of not to mix joy with sensitive matters. The case should be dropped with a serious warning.

Recommend 0

Indian

Feb 27, 2016 08:43pm

His name is Umer Daraz and he is NOT anti-Pakistani. Where is freedom of speech???

Recommend 0

Omer Irfan Kayani

Feb 27, 2016 09:00pm

His act of hoisting Indian flag on rooftop was ultimate act of stupidity,further augmented by fact that he was so much cricket crazy that he failed to notice how bilateral relations between Pakistan and India were going wrong.I hope 1 month behind bars would have brought some sense to him.

Recommend 0

Janjuah

Feb 27, 2016 09:25pm

Plz some one inform Kohli. .

Recommend 0

k k tiwari

Feb 27, 2016 09:41pm

& Kohai did again today. Cheer up great fan

Recommend 0

Najam

Feb 27, 2016 09:48pm

I really feel for this guy. Not fair

Recommend 0

Khan

Feb 27, 2016 09:50pm

Happy day for Umer Daraz and Kohli fans in Pakistan....India won mainly because of superstar Kohli and their bowlers

Recommend 0

Sanjay

Feb 27, 2016 10:27pm

Pls. let him go. I am also a fan of Md Amir and the great Wasim Akram. He loves Pakistan. It is only that he also loves Virat Kohli. Pls. release him!

Recommend 0

Feb 27, 2016 10:27pm

Hoisting flag should incur a warning the first time. Some of these boys are just innocent.

Recommend 0

Feb 27, 2016 10:28pm

@Adeel Abbas Dear Abbas. May I ask why aren't u a fan of the worlds best Kohli ? Regards

Recommend 0

BRILLIANT LOGIC

Feb 27, 2016 10:41pm

Yes, yes...his mistake is to retain the innocence that every human is born with...while others have grown up to be fanatics and patriots...he remains a fan.

Recommend 0

Rashid Sultan

Feb 27, 2016 10:48pm

This is Kohli fan's day! Kohli performed - the fan must be pleased.

Recommend 0

Sandeep Singh

Feb 27, 2016 11:19pm

Kohli did it again. Would Umar Daraz too ;-)

Recommend 0

Sandeep Singh

Feb 27, 2016 11:19pm

How can a tailor would pay Rs. 50000?

Recommend 0

tariq

Feb 28, 2016 12:17am

those who are against poor man, are so patriotic that they have gifted all their wealth to Pakistan

Recommend 0

Ahmer

Feb 28, 2016 01:47am

Where I don't support India at all, I fully support DARAZ's actions which meant no harm. Freedom of expression people.

Recommend 0

Karachite

Feb 28, 2016 01:59am

To all the so called peace lovers commenting over here, what he did was illegal, he got what he deserved. He was warned by the locals but he did not listen. I am a fan of Michael Jordan, but i would never hoist the flag of USA over my house! There is something wrong with this guy or with those people 'supporting' him.

Recommend 0

Naseer

Feb 28, 2016 04:40am

Hardly a reason to celebrate. Firstly,Rs.50,000 is huge sum for him.Secondly,he is still charged of a 'crime' that should never have resulted in an arrest.Please leave the kid alone.

Recommend 0

SARAT

Feb 28, 2016 06:24am

If an Indian fan raise Pakistani flag in support of a pak player he will be asked to go to Pakistan. People around will take care of him not police and court.

Recommend 0

Valar Morgulis

Feb 28, 2016 08:41am

I think one month was more than enough for him. He should be allowed to enjoy game and his fav player now.

Recommend 0

Harish Jurel

Feb 28, 2016 09:07am

Hello friend, Love has no boundaries. I m from India, all we know that this s not preplanned by him and he did by mistake.

Recommend 0

Usman

Feb 28, 2016 11:28am

People are getting emotional in supporting this Daraz guy without any reason here. No one can stop anyone liking or disliking any cricket star..he is free to do that..but the issue of hoisting Indian flag is anti national and not on.

Recommend 0

Hassan

Feb 28, 2016 11:34am

People who love without boundaries are considered silly and the ones who spread hatred are considered smart in this world :)

Recommend 0

Azmat Shah

Feb 28, 2016 12:08pm

leave they poor man alone

Recommend 0

Azmat Shah

Feb 28, 2016 12:10pm

@R.S. Menon Very well said sir

Recommend 0

Gagan

Feb 28, 2016 12:38pm

Media and pseudo intellectual of both countries making mountain out of trivial issues and ignoring the real issues facing their nation.Better concentrate on poverty,health and other issues rather than who is patriotic or not.

Recommend 0

Harish Jurel

Feb 29, 2016 12:01am

Good said by Gagan

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Resecurity partners with BankIslami Pakistan to enhance digital risk monitoring and cyber threat intelligence

The partnership marks a significant step in strengthening BankIslami's cybersecurity posture through cutting-edge intelligence capabilities.

Alif Holdings hosts Real Estate CEOs Conference with Bilal Yaseen live podcast by Mansoor Ali Khan

Topics expected to be discussed include housing policy, urban development, investment confidence, infrastructure planning and the future outlook of Pakistan’s real estate industry.