Islamabad Court Sentences PTI Members to 14-Day Judicial Custody

Raoof Hasan and nine other PTI members were sentenced to 14 days of judicial custody by an Islamabad court for anti-state propaganda. They were arrested by the FIA and Islamabad police. Hasan's medical check-up was ordered due to chest pain complaints.

An Islamabad court on Tuesday sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Raoof Hasan and nine other party affiliates to 14 days in judicial custody, as reported by Pakistan-based daily, Dawn. This verdict comes in the context of the anti-state propaganda case. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan presented Hasan before the court following the completion of his physical remand.

Hasan's arrest last week resulted from a raid by the FIA and Islamabad police, following allegations of PTI's involvement in 'anti-state digital campaigns,' according to a statement by the Interior Ministry. The investigation, led by a Joint Investigation Committee (JIC) formed to probe 'malicious social media campaigns,' revealed that these actions had caused 'chaos and disorder.'

During court proceedings, PTI's lawyer argued for a medical check-up for Hasan, citing his poor health. Hasan's medical examination was ordered by the judge after complaints of severe chest pain, before confirming his 14-day judicial remand.

On July 23, Hasan's two-day physical remand was initially approved by a district and sessions court in Islamabad. The FIA prosecutor sought an extension of Hasan's remand to recover gadgets allegedly used for anti-state activities. The case revealed that the FIA's investigations could warrant up to 30 days of physical remand.

Attorney Latif Khosa, representing Hasan, opposed the prosecutorial request for an extended physical remand. Despite these objections, the judicial remand was ultimately enforced.

(With inputs from agencies.)