PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan was released from Adiala Jail on Tuesday night after being granted bail by an anti-terrorism court in a case involving the alleged recovery of explosives.
PTI lawyer and spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha announced Hasan’s release on social media. Videos showed Hasan leaving the jail and getting into a vehicle.
Hasan was arrested on July 22 by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca). His arrest came amid accusations by the interior ministry that PTI was involved in “anti-state propaganda.” A joint investigation committee (JIT) was formed to investigate those allegedly creating “chaos and disorder” through “malicious social media campaigns.”
Initially, Hasan was remanded into FIA custody for seven days for the social media case. On July 31, after a 14-day judicial remand, Hasan was transferred to Adiala Jail and also arrested in a separate terrorism case involving alleged possession of weapons and explosives.
An Islamabad court granted Hasan bail in the social media case on August 1. However, he was handed over to the Counter-Terrorism Department on a two-day physical remand on July 31, which was extended by a day on August 2. Afterward, an Islamabad ATC ordered a 14-day judicial remand.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra granted Hasan’s bail upon furnishing surety bonds of Rs200,000. The judge noted that Hasan, a 75-year-old with severe health issues including heart disease and cancer, had no prior criminal record and was highly educated. The investigation was complete, and there was no evidence linking Hasan to the alleged financing of explosives.
Following the decision, the court issued Hasan’s release order.