ISLAMABAD: Judicial Magistrate Malik Aman has granted post-arrest bail to journalist Bilal Ghauri in a case registered against him under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

During the hearing, Supreme Court Advocate Imran Shafiq appeared on behalf of the journalist and argued that the case had been initiated with mala fide intent and that the allegations levelled against his client were not supported by sufficient evidence.

The counsel contended that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the core allegations against Ghauri and urged the court to grant him post-arrest bail. The prosecution opposed the bail application and presented its arguments before the court.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judicial Magistrate Malik Aman allowed Bilal Ghauri’s post-arrest bail application and ordered his release subject to fulfilment of the bail requirements. The case was registered under provisions of the Peca Act, with the allegations against the journalist forming the basis of the proceedings.

The defence, however, maintained that the allegations were unsupported by evidence and that the proceedings were motivated by mala fide intentions.

The court, after considering the arguments advanced by both sides, issued its order granting bail to the journalist.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2026