KARACHI: Police have released journalist Bilal Farooqui in the early hours of Saturday morning, after hours after detention for sharing “objectionable” content on social media platforms.
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said the journalist “has been released and is being taken back to his residence by police”.
Hes been released and is being taken back to his residence by police https://t.co/LhdLoNZ3eN
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) September 11, 2020
On Friday, Bilal Farooqi, affiliated with a national newspaper, was arrested from his residence in Karachi’s Defense area.
According to police, Bilal Farooqui, who was employed at a national newspaper has been arrested by the station investigation officer (SIO) of Defence police.
Police sources further said Farooqi was wanted in FIR No. 613/2020 u/s 500/505 PPC of PS Defence dated 9th Septemeber.
The FIR against Farooqi was under Sections 500 and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 on the complaint of a private citizen.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Javed Khan, a resident of Majeed Colony in the Landhi area, said he had visite found highly objectionable material shared by Farooqi on Facebook and Twitter platforms.
Javed further claimed that highly provocative posts had been shared by Farooqi against the Pakistan Army and those pertaining to religious hatred.
The complainant alleged that Farooqi had defamed the Pakistan Army and such social media posts may be used by hostile elements for their nefarious designs. Therefore, legal action should be taken against him.
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