LAHORE: A sessions court in Lahore on Thursday approved the post-arrest bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javaid in a case linked to uploading alleged fake videos of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari on social media.

The bail was granted by Additional Sessions Judge Sajid Ahmed Chaudhry after hearing arguments from both sides. Falak Javaid was represented by advocates Mian Ali Ashfaq and Rana Rauf.

Arrest and case history

Javaid was arrested by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) from a flat in Islamabad on September 24. The case stems from an FIR registered by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing in August 2024 against six suspects, including Javaid, for allegedly sharing fake content targeting Azma Bukhari.

Following FIA’s alleged inaction, the provincial minister approached the Lahore High Court, seeking action against the suspects.

Minister’s criticism

Azma Bukhari has repeatedly criticised the FIA Cyber Wing, accusing it of “doing nothing except drawing salaries.” She argued that her constitutional rights were violated after defamatory content was circulated online.

She said formal requests had been made under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to act against Falak Javaid, Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum, but no steps were taken.

The minister maintains that the spread of fake pictures and videos on social media caused her reputational damage and defamed her in the public eye.