Matiullah appeared before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra. During the hearing, the judge requested the prosecution to present a copy of the Islamabad High Court’s ruling along with the investigation report. He ordered that these documents be included in the court records. Afterward, Judge sent Matiullah on judicial remand.
Jan’s lawyer filed a petition for bail, requesting an immediate hearing. The judge agreed and noted that the seven-page petition would be examined.
Prosecutor Raja Naveed opposed the bail, urging the court to deny the petition. However, the court granted bail, ordering Matiullah Jan to pay a surety bond of 10,000 rupees.
This decision came after the Islamabad High Court ruled the previous day that Matiullah Jan’s physical remand was invalid. The High Court converted his remand to judicial remand, ensuring his detention was in line with legal procedures.
Matiullah Jan, a well-known journalist, was detained under controversial circumstances, sparking outrage among press organizations. Media unions and human rights groups strongly condemned his arrest, describing it as an assault on freedom of the press.
Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Political Affairs, also criticized the case, calling the charges against Jan “baseless” and arguing they were part of an attempt to intimidate independent journalists.
Matiullah Jan’s arrest and the subsequent bail decision have sparked widespread debate in Pakistan, raising concerns about press freedom and the government’s stance on independent journalism. The case continues to attract attention from both national and international human rights organizations.