ATC Approves Bail for Journalist Matiullah Jan in Terrorism and Narcotics Case
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad granted bail to senior journalist Matiullah Jan on Saturday in a case involving terrorism and narcotics charges. Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra approved the bail against a surety bond of Rs10,000.
Jan was arrested by Islamabad Police at the E-9 checkpoint two days earlier, accused of assaulting police officers, forcibly seizing their weapons, issuing threats, and driving under the influence of drugs, with the substance “ice” reportedly found in his vehicle.
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The FIR filed against him includes charges under Sections 279 (rash driving), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 382 (theft with preparation for harm), 427 (mischief causing damage), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the CrPC, along with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and narcotics-related offenses.
Initially, the ATC granted a two-day physical remand to the police. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) later suspended this remand on Friday.
Jan’s arrest sparked widespread condemnation from media and human rights organizations, as well as criticism within the government. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, speaking on different news channel, described the case as “fabricated.”
Prominent figures including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) veteran Raza Rabbani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui also called for Jan’s release, with Siddiqui expressing deep regret over the incident.
