Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail in ‘anti-state’ content and fraud cases

Pakistani courts granted bail to journalist Farhan Mallick on Monday in two separate cases -- one involving allegations of running 'anti-state' content on his media outlet’s YouTube channel, and the other concerning a purportedly fraudulent call center accused of stealing credit card information.

Mallick’s legal team secured bail from two courts -- City Court and Malir Court -- where hearings for both cases were scheduled for today.

“It’s a small victory in a long journey... Grateful to share that bail has been granted in the first FIR against FM,” according to a Facebook post by Raftar, the digital news outlet founded by Mallick.

Hours later, the journalist was granted bail in the second case.

Case hearings

During hearing at the City Court in the case concerning the alleged publication of anti-state content, the judge questioned the basis of the charges. “The case mentions anti-state material -- but what exactly was said that is considered objectionable? Which specific sentences were anti-state?” the court inquired.

In response, the FIA counsel stated that investigators had submitted the full content in a USB drive to the court.

The court pressed further: “Other than what’s in the USB, what specific content has been deemed anti-state?”

Mallick’s counsel, Abdul Moiz Jaferii, argued that there was no anti-state content in the material. He pointed out that the programs cited in the case were aired before the enforcement of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and thus cannot be termed as anti-state.

The court then asked whether any regulatory body currently exists to monitor social media, similar to the oversight authorities for electronic and print media. Mallick’s counsel responded that legislation to regulate social media was currently in progress.

The FIA counsel claimed that several programs had been conducted targeting key figures.

Following the completion of arguments, the court granted bail to Mallick in the case. A few hours later, his legal team appeared before the other court, which also approved bail in the second case.

In both case hearings, the courts directed Mallick to submit surety bonds worth PKR 100,000 each.

Mallick, a former news director at Samaa TV, was initially arrested on March 20 under recently amended PECA. He faces multiple charges, including a recently added provision that criminalizes "fake news"—an offense punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to PKR 2 million (approximately $7,200).

His legal troubles deepened when a second case was registered against him on March 26, accusing him of operating a fraudulent call center involved in stealing credit card information. Mallick’s media outlet has denied the allegations, calling them a deliberate attempt to keep him incarcerated.

Pakistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders ranked it 152nd out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index.