The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed in a case related to the alleged uploading of anti-state content on social media.
Justice Farooq Haider presided over the hearing and approved the bail plea, ordering her release against surety bonds worth Rs500,000.
Ms Javed was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) earlier this month on charges of disseminating material deemed harmful to the state’s interests. The FIA Lahore had registered the case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Pakistan Penal Code.
Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq represented the PTI worker and argued before the court that the petitioner had not made any statements or posts that could be interpreted as anti-state. He maintained that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated.
The counsel urged the court to consider the lack of incriminating evidence and grant bail to his client, asserting that she was being targeted due to her political affiliations.
The FIA, however, opposed the bail, contending that the content uploaded by Sanam Javed fell within the definition of anti-state propaganda and warranted further investigation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court accepted the petition and directed that Ms Javed be released from custody upon submission of the surety bonds.
Sanam Javed, a vocal PTI supporter, has faced multiple legal challenges in recent months amid an ongoing crackdown on party workers following the May 9 riots last year.
