The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former acting Chairman Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Dr Abdul Jabbar who was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on charges of making illegal appointments.
The court also granted pre arrest bail to the former PEMRA chairman Mushtaq Malik who was accused of the same allegation of illegal appointments and directed all the petitioners to deposit separately surety bonds of Rs 0.5 million.
A single member-bench of the court comprising Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi resumed hearing of the bail application filed by acting PEMRA Chairman Dr Abdul Jabbar, former member Shahazad Anwar against their arrest by FIA over alleged illegal appointments.
During the course of hearing, counsel for petitioner apprised the bench that there is no corruption case against his client except allegations of illegal appointments. He maintained that all appointments were made on merit and according to the law.
To this, counsel for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprised the bench that FIA has no objection on conditional bail, if they were ready to appear before agency for further investigation of the case.
The counsel of complainant Mushtaq Malik, Malik Qamar Afzal told the court that FIA lodged an FIR without investigation.