Case Update Status

Accused Iftekhar Bhola is on bail, he confessed the crime.

Summary of Case

On 25 March, 2021 Rana Muhammad Azeem, secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and anchorperson of 92 News, had received a death threat after exposing a mafia network in a recent TV talk-show broadcast on "92 News Channel".

On April 14, 2021, Speaking to PPF Mr. Rana Azeem said on March 22, He covered a story about wrong doings in Pakistan Theatre industry in his show The Last Hour on aired from 92 News at 11 PM with complete documented facts and figures. He said after 3 days of that show on March 24 He received a threatening call from Dubai’s number, He first ignored the call. Then after 1 hour He once again received a call from same number. According to Mr. Rana the words of Caller were “We would kill you like we killed others”. Mr. Rana said he shared the details with his fellows in Lahore Press club, they advised to take serious action against calls. Mr. Rana then filed FIR in Thana Shadbagh Lahore. Later on, Police traced the call, Number was registered on Ifthekhar Bhola’s CNIC. Ifthekhar Bhola was in Pakistan at that time but He was using Dubai’s number. Police arrested him.

On Apr 20, 21, Investigation officer (IO) Mr. Ghulam Rasool told PPF that we arrested Mr. Iftekhar Bhola but he’s out of police custody on bail. The is under investigation due to law and order situation in the city.

On Feb 1, 2022 Head Moharrar, Shadbagh police station, Muhammad Jameel told PPF that accused Iftekhar Bhola is now on bail and the case is in Ishaq - District Court.

Category of Incident

Threats

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0201- Assaults and threats

ICCS Group: 02012-Threat

ICCS Class: 020111- Serious assault

ICCS Crime: Assaults and threats

Reported By

Freedom Network

Date of incident

25

Month

March

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Rana Azeem

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

92 News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Iftikhar Bhola

City

Lahore

Province

Punjab

Designation

Anchor person

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

45 years old

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR: 25/03/2021

FIR Details: FIR No 494/21

Police station of FIR: Thana Shadbagh

Name of complainant: Rana Azeem

Name of accused in FIR: Iftikhar Bhola

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Under Investigation

Court where case was presented: Not presented in any court yet

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not presented in any court yet

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Not presented in any court yet

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

PFUJ condemned

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Not required

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Lahore press club condemned

Press club 2:

Press club 3: