An anti-terrorism court on Friday granted bail to incarcerated MNA Ali Wazir in a hate speech case. Four identical cases pertaining to hate speech, sedition and inciting the public against the state have been lodged against him and others. A fifth identical case was lodged at the Miramshah police station.
Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement-linked Wazir, who was elected from the NA-50 constituency in South Waziristan’s tribal district as an independent candidate, has been incarcerated in Karachi’s central prison since Dec 31, 2020, after he was arrested for alleged hate speech against state institutions. Wazir and two others have been charged with allegedly committing sedition by delivering speeches at a public procession provoking public sentiment against the security establishment in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area in January 2019. Earlier in the day, the ATC-XV judge, who conducted a trial in the judicial complex inside central prison, reserved his verdict after recording evidence and final arguments from both sides.
The judge granted bail to Wazir subject to furnishing a surety of Rs500,000. Prison authorities were told to release him forthwith if his custody was not required in any other case.
The judge fixed the case on July 25 for framing of an amended charge against the accused and report for the attachment of the property of those who are allegedly still absconding in the present case.
However, MNA Wazir would still not be set free since he is also facing trial in a fourth identical case lodged against him and other PTM leaders at the Boat Basin police station.
