Alia Hamza granted bail in PECA Act case

Islamabad: The Islamabad Court Tuesday granted pre-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Alia Hamza in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against her.

District and Sessions Courts Islamabad Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka granted bail to Alia Hamza for Rs50,000. The court reprimanded the prosecutor for citing irrelevant sections of the PECA.

Judge Afzal Majoka said that Section IX comes into play when the accused is associated with a prohibited party. The court inquired whether there was any forensic evidence of the relevant video of Alia, to which the prosecutor replied that the transcript was available, right now it was a pre-trial bail matter.

The court inquired whether there was any evidence in which Alia Hamza had interfered in the internal affairs of any state institution. The relevant video of Alia Hamza was played before the court by the prosecutor.

Judge Afzal Majoka said that according to the prosecution's case, Section XXIV(A) applies to Alia Hamza. Section XXIV(A) of the PECA is silent on the issue of punishment and your case also becomes the same. Sections IX and X does not apply against Alia, tell if you have anything else. If the prosecution has nothing regarding Section XXIV(A), then my order is clear.

The prosecutor stated that Alia Hamza is not refusing to accept the relevant video yet the court can confirm. Our case deals with Sections IX and X. There is nothing related to Section XXIV(A).