Case Update Status

N/A

Summary of Case

On May 18, Ruhi TV reporter Shafqat Malana was arrested for covering a protest during an anti-encroachment operation. He was charged under the PECA Act and other provisions based on a complaint by Patwari Arif Sultan. According to Pakistan Today, journalist Malana was arrested and charged under the PECA Act and other serious provisions for covering a protest during an anti-encroachment operation on May 15. According to the report, the FIR alleged that Malana and 13 others had made illegal encroachments, incited people to revolt against the government, made provocative statements, and threatened to kill the patwari. Malana had also been accused of making posts on social media to incite people and using insulting words against institutions. The report says that Malana was presented before the court of Magistrate Amir Hussain, who excused himself from hearing the case due to the lack of jurisdiction as to the assertion of the provisions of PECA. The journalist was then handed over to the FIA Multan to be presented in the Special Court Multan. FIR No. 954/25 was registered on May 18 at Police Station City Kot Adu under sections 290 (Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for), 291 (Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue),, 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186, (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 506 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of the PPC, and section 16 (dissemination of rumours) of Maintenance of Public Ordinance and as well as section 21 (use of electronic means that may result in reputational damage or breach of privacy) the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960. As per the base of FIR, the complainant, Muhammad Arif Sultan, a patwari, alleged that on May 15, 2025, he and his team were marking illegal encroachments on Jarnili Road, Kot Adu, when Shafqat Malana, a journalist, and 10-11 others incited people to rebel against the Punjab government, made provocative statements, abused and pushed the patwari officials, including Muhammad Arif Sultan, Muhammad Akhtar Patwari, and Shafqat Ali Gurd. The situation escalated, and the accused allegedly threatened and threatened to kill them. The FIR stated that after the incident, the accused allegedly posted on Facebook, inciting people to revolt and using abusive language against the administration and the Pakistan Army. The complainant claims that these actions have prepared people for rebellion against the government and used abusive language against government institutions. A copy of the FIR is attached. A procession was observed on May 22 in Kot Adu by the journalists’ fraternity in support of Shafqat Malana. The protesters carried banners with the slogan "Zulm k zabty hum nhi manty," which translates to "We do not accept injustice, demanding justice and condemning the arrest and registration of FIR against Malana. A copy of the protest is available and saved on the server. During the bail hearing in the Special Court of Multan, defense lawyer Advocate Arsalan argued that the FIR was baseless and fabricated. He contended that the FIR initially invoked Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, which was later removed, and the remaining sections of the PPC were also groundless. Arsalan presented printed screenshots of Malana's Facebook, highlighting his statement regarding the Army during the recent Indo-Pak tension, which demonstrated his patriotism and faithfulness toward the military. The lawyer emphasized that Malana was discharging his professional duties as a journalist, covering a protest and reporting on an issue that affected citizens' rights. The defense counsel stressed that the reporting was impartial and without personal enmity or interest, and that various stakeholders, including traders and lawyers, had collectively raised their voices against the directives of the Deputy Commissioner's office. Arsalan also pointed out the delay in registering the FIR and the lack of evidentiary documents presented by the prosecution. The prosecution, however, argued that the protest had turned violent, with protesters attacking administrative staff and making derogatory remarks against the government. However, Arsalan intervened, noting that these claims were mere assumptions without evidence. After considering the proceedings, the court granted bail to journalist Shafqat Malana on merit. A recording of the hearing is available. According to the bail order issued on May 20, 2025 a special court (Criminal Division) in Multan granted bail to accused Shafqat Ali, The court reviewed the record and found that the FIR registered against him under sections 353, 186, and 506-I PPC, and sections 16 MPO and 26-A PECA, were not substantiated. The court noted that most of the posts attributed to the accused were related to policies against encroachments, which were being implemented throughout Punjab. It was stated in the bail order that the allegations of obstruction of discharge of public duty were bailable in nature. Therefore, the court directed that Shafqat Ali be released on bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs. 100,000/- with one local surety, under section 496 Cr.PC. If the bail bond is not furnished, the accused will be committed to judicial custody. Copy is attached. Muhammad Tahir Shafiq, a Samaa TV reporter from Muzaffargarh, shared details about Shafqat Malana's arrest and FIR registration. Shafiq told that Malana had covered a protest by traders whose shops were being demolished on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner. During the protest, traders and shop owners made anti-government and anti-army statements. Shafiq alleged that the Deputy Commissioner was offended because Malana didn't take his version of the story, leading to the registration of an FIR under PECA. Shafiq claimed the Deputy Commissioner aimed to suppress Malana's voice and take revenge. Interestingly, the SHO of Kot Adu Police Station had called Malana to cover a narcotics issue, but instead, he was arrested and accused of disturbing public peace. The case was later referred to the FIA due to a lack of jurisdiction, and Malana secured bail after arrest. The case is now being heard in a special court in Multan. Shafiq added. On May 13, Malana shared a post on his Facebook account about a concerning development in Kot Adu where gas and petrol sellers were being forced by the administrators to sign agreements to vacate their shops, allegedly at the behest of the Civil Defense authorities. On May 14, Malana shared some clippings mentioning that the administration had announced plans to demolish properties in a 110-foot area, which traders claim is an abuse of power as they were not provided with prior notice. Ruhi TV news tickers were also attached to the post focusing the traders protest, objecting to the demolition of private properties, arguing that the action was unjust and violates their rights. It was stressed that the shutdown reflects the strong opposition to the administration's plans, with traders and citizens united in their demand for a more consultative approach. According to the story covered by Malana, aired on Ruhi TV, citizens, traders, and lawyers in Kot Adu have launched a strong protest against the demolition of private properties under the guise of an anti-encroachment operation. The protesters claimed that the administration is trying to destroy the city and demanded justice and protection of their properties. As per the report, the situation turned tense as traders and lawyers went on strike, forcing the administration to negotiate and halt the operation for 3-4 days. Despite assurances to allow document submission, protesters remain adamant that their properties should not be demolished, and the administration should follow the law, protestors alleged. Malana covered the story and posted on his Facebook account multiple times from May 13 to May 16, highlighting the incident and providing updates on the matter. All links are attached to text. Shafqat Malana shared his experience with PPF, detailing how he was arrested and later granted bail. The issue began when he highlighted the Anti-encroachment issue in a long-standing market, where many, including himself, had properties and were raising their voices against it. After sharing his report on social media and Ruhi TV, the Deputy Commissioner contacted Ruhi TV, asking them to stop reporting on the matter. Despite warnings, Malana continued to highlight the issue, leading to an FIR being filed against him. The FIR initially included sections that fell under the jurisdiction of a special court in Multan. The Kot Adu Magisterial court transferred the matter to the special court in Multan, which also refused to hear the case and referred it to the NCCIA Multan. Malana was taken into custody and interrogated by NCCI Multan. He was threatened and warned not to make further posts. After that, he was presented before the Court of Session in Multan for judicial custody. Fortunately, his legal counsel successfully secured bail for him from the session court within twenty minutes of arguments with a bond of one hundred thousand. Malana expressed concerns about his mobile phone, which was still being held for forensic analysis, despite having all the necessary records. His organization provided legal support, but advised him not to highlight the matter further after his bail to avoid any legal threats. An order passed by the Court of Session (criminal Division, Multan) on May 25 declined the judicial custody of Shafqat and granted him bail with the comments that no legal provision had bearing to hold him captive. The court rejected the request for judicial custody of accused Shafqat Ali, noting that the charges against him, including public nuisance, obstruction of public duty, and PECA offenses, were bailable. The court found insufficient evidence to support the more serious charges and granted bail on the condition that Shafqat furnish a bond of Rs. 100,000 with one local surety. The order is saved on the server.

Category of Incident

Arrest

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

Pakistan Today

Date of incident

18

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Shafqat Malana

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Ruhi TV

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Patwari Muhammad Arif Sultan (Complainant)

City

Kot Addu

Province

Punjab

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR:

FIR Details: 954/25

Police station of FIR: City Police Station, Kot Addu

Name of complainant: Muhammad Arif Sultan

Name of accused in FIR: Shafqat Malana and 11 others

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Under investigation

Court where case was presented: Special court (name not confirmed)

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

No version was recorded

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: N/A

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A