Court rejects FIA's request, places journalist Farhan Mallick on judicial remand

Karachi: A local court on Tuesday sent journalist Farhan Mallick to jail on judicial remand after he was arrested for allegedly spreading anti-state content.

Mallick, a senior journalist who worked as the news director for a private TV channel and now runs a YouTube channel, had completed a four-day physical remand. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented him before the Judicial Magistrate (East) and requested an extension of his remand.

However, the court denied the FIA's request and instead placed Mallick in jail on judicial remand. The court also issued notices regarding Mallick's bail application and set March 27 as the next hearing date.

Many senior journalists and news anchors were present in the court during the proceedings.

During the hearing, the investigating officer told the court that Mallick had posted anti-state videos. The judge asked about the content of the videos and who had filed the complaint. The court also inquired whether Mallick had been mistreated or harassed while in custody. Mallick replied that his staff had been harassed. The judge then questioned the investigating officer about any other individuals involved in the case and warned that if anyone was harassed, the officer would be issued a show-cause notice.

Mallick was arrested on March 20 by the FIA for allegedly violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and being involved in defamation. The PECA law, which was recently amended, has sparked protests from journalist organizations across the country, who argue it restricts free speech and intimidates journalists.

An FIR has been filed against Mallick under several sections of the PECA Act, along with sections 190 and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with abetment and defamation. The FIR accuses Mallick of spreading anti-state content.

The court hearing took place one day after the administration of Mallick's YouTube channel claimed that the FIA had raided his office, seizing his computer and USB drive. The administration said the raid was not part of a routine investigation but was an attack on press freedom.