PESHAWAR: A Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench on Monday granted conditional bail to social activist Gulalai Ismail’s father Prof Mohammad Ismail who was arrested by the Federal Investi­gation Agency’s cyber crime wing last month. He faces charges of cyber terrorism and hate speech.

The bench comprising Justice Qaiser Rasheed Khan directed the petitioner, Prof Ismail, to submit two sureties worth Rs100,000 each. It directed the petitioner, who is also a member of Pakistan NGOs Forum, not to repeat the alleged offence after he was set free. It ordered that in case he was again found involved in such offences the prosecution should seek cancellation of his bail.

Prof Ismail was arrested on Oct 24 from outside the PHC where he had gone to attend proceedings of his petition filed for quashing of a case of terror financing filed against him, his spouse and Gulalai Ismail by the Counter Ter­r­orism Department, Pesha­war.

He was earlier denied bail by a subordinate court on Nov 4.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...