News Desk
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the arrest of journalist Shahid Aslam by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
FIA arrested the Bol News journalist from Lahore last week for his alleged part in leaking the personal tax data of former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa.
In November, investigative news website FactFocus accused the former COAS and his family of amassing assets worth Rs12.7 billion over the past six years.
On Wednesday, HRCP in a statement said that the arrest violates his right to freedom of expression and the IHC’s order instructing the FIA to inform the PFUJ should a journalist need to be questioned.
“Such tactics set the dangerous precedent of obstructing the work of investigative journalists in Pakistan,” the HRCP added.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, an Islamabad sessions court granted bail to Shahid Aslam against surety bonds worth Rs50,000.
