A judicial magistrate in Malir on Monday ordered journalist Farhan Mallick’s imprisonment under judicial custody, rejecting the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) request for an extension of his physical remand.
Mallick, along with other accused, was presented before the court upon the completion of his initial remand. The magistrate denied further custody and ordered his transfer to Landhi Jail.
During the hearing, co-accused Atir told the court that he had never met Mallick before and saw him for the first time in lockup, refuting claims of Mallick’s involvement in an illegal call centre.
Mallick’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, argued that FIA had failed to provide details of the alleged crime and questioned what evidence had been recovered. The investigating officer responded that the seized equipment had been sent for forensic examination.
Nasir also claimed that as soon as Mallick was placed on judicial remand, another case was registered against him. However, FIA denied any additional cases beyond the two currently filed.
Mallick faces charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly posting anti-state content on social media. He is also accused of involvement in a money laundering case linked to an illegal call centre.
His bail hearing for the PECA case is scheduled for April 3, while the second case will be heard on April 7.
