IHC seeks more advice on Swati’s bail request

The Islamabad High Court requested additional advice over the issue of whether a lower court lacked the authority to revoke PTI politician Azam Khan Swati’s bail following the controversy surrounding his controversial tweets against state institutions in a federal government appeal.

On Thursday, IHC Justice Aamer Farooq heard a petition filed by a technical assistant with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anisur Rehman.

Special Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi appeared in court on behalf of the petitioner and argued that Special Judge Central Raja Asif could handle cases involving the provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

However, he said, the court had exceeded its authority by releasing Swati.

The government in the petition asked IHC to deem the special judge’s order “invalid” and to revoke Swati’s bail. The IHC noted that more help would be needed in this situation.

The hearing on the plea was then postponed for a week by the court.

Swati was granted bail by the special court in Islamabad on October 25, along with instructions to turn up his passport and deposit an Rs. 10,000 bond.

FIA detained PTI’s senator in Islamabad on October 13 as a result of his divisive remarks on Twitter.