The two reporters – Asif Qureshi and Sheikh Zulqarnain – were part of ARY News program ‘Sar-e-Aam’ were part of a sting operation to expose corruption of Pakistan Railways, headed by Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique. The sting operation revealed railways’ officials taking bribes and allowing arms to be smuggled from Lahore to Karachi.
Railways officials further disclosed in the sting operation that they were involved in arms smuggling.
The court ordered both the reporters to submit surety bonds worth Rs 50,000 each.
During the proceedings, Railways police’ lawyers told the court that a bail should not be approved until investigation completed. They said legal consultations were under way on the matter.
ARY News reporters imprisoned for exposing… by arynews
Lawyers of ARY News said contended that both the reporters should be released on bail as offense against them had not been proved yet. Both the sections charged in the case fall under bailable offence.
After hearing arguments from both the sides, the court ordered release of ARY correspondents on bail.
