Senior journalist Matiullah Jan granted bail
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An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Saturday granted bail to a senior investigative journalist and a YouTuber, Matiullah Jan, in lieu of bail bonds of Rs10,000 each and ordered his release, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard Mati’s bail application.
A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, had on Friday, suspended the ATC’s order of granting physical remand of the journalist to the police, and sent him to jail on a judicial remand instead.
The journalist’s consul Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were also present in the court.
Earlier, Mati challenged the court’s decision of physical remand in the IHC. His counsel Imaan said that her client was arrested on fake and baseless charges.
Matiullah Jan had been arrested on Thursday on charges of drug possession, reckless driving, and obstructing law enforcement.
According to details, an FIR was registered at Islamabad’s Margallah Police Station on behalf of the state.
The FIR alleged that the police signaled Mati to stop his speeding vehicle, but he attempted to run over the officers.
The vehicle was eventually stopped using barriers, and the journalist was reportedly found in an intoxicated state. Police claimed to have discovered a quantity of methamphetamine (ice) hidden under his car seat.
Mati had been formally named in the FIR, which included charges of endangering public safety and resisting law enforcement.
Reporter: Ihtesham Kiani