Journalist Aslam Shah was granted bail on Wednesday, a week after his arrest on charges of defamation through social media under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Judicial Magistrate (South) approved Shah’s post-arrest bail application during a hearing and ordered his release upon submission of surety bonds amounting to Rs30,000. A significant number of journalists attended the proceedings, while National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) was represented by its counsel, Shiraz Rajper.
Shah was arrested on January 7 by NCCIA following the registration of a case alleging online defamation. He subsequently filed a post-arrest bail plea through his lawyer, Nasir Ahmed. The bail application was initially taken up on January 12; however, the hearing was adjourned after an NCCIA official informed the court that the investigating officer was on leave and the case record was unavailable. The matter was then rescheduled for January 14.
During arguments, Shah’s counsel contended that the case had been registered with mala fide intent, asserting that the journalist was implicated to settle personal scores and shield the complainant. The lawyer further stated that Shah had over three decades of experience in journalism and had worked with established print and wire media organizations. The defense also argued that Shah was protected under Section 7 of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021.
The FIR registered on December 29, 2025, was lodged on the complaint of Tabish Raza Husnain, identified as an official of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation. The case was filed under Sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person) and 24 (cyberstalking) of PECA. According to the complaint, Shah allegedly circulated defamatory content and used abusive language against the complainant and a senior officer, identified as Colonel Anjum, on social media groups, causing reputational harm and mental distress.