Senior journalist Matiullah Jan was released from jail in a terrorism and narcotics case after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital approved his bail petition on Saturday.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who presided over the hearing, approved the bail against a bond worth Rs10,000.
The development comes two days after the journalist was arrested by the Islamabad Police at the E-9 checkpoint for allegedly assaulting the police, forcibly snatching their weaponry, and issuing threats along with being under the influence of drugs with the substance “ice” reportedly recovered from his vehicle as well.
The FIR registered against him includes CrPC’s Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 506 (criminal intimidation) along with 7ATA (terrorism-related section) and a narcotics-related section.
An ATC then approved a two-day physical remand of the journalist. However, on Friday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended Jan’s physical remand granted to police by the trial court.