KARACHI: The founder of a Pakistani online news channel who was arrested for allegedly spreading disinformation was released on bail on Monday, his lawyer said.
Farhan Mallick, who runs Raftar, was charged after changes to a disinformation law in January saw punishments of up to three years in prison introduced.
Critics say the law is being used to quash dissenting views and control online media.
Mallick’s lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii told AFP he was released after offering 100,000 rupees ($354) for each of the two cases he was charged with.
He was arrested more than two weeks ago for “generating and disseminating anti-state publications and videos, with the aim of spreading disinformation and inciting public violence.”
He was accused in a second case of credit card fraud.
Another journalist, Muhammed Waheed Murad, was also accused days later of “online disinformation,” before being granted bail.
Both journalists had reported on the alleged role of the powerful military that has ruled the country for several decades, an institution that many mainstream media are careful to avoid criticizing.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have sounded the alarm about two brothers of exiled journalist Ahmad Noorani, who police say were “kidnapped” in Islamabad last month.
Journalists have long complained of increasing state pressure on traditional media in Pakistan, ranked 152nd out of 180 countries on RSF’s press freedom index.
Social media platform X is officially banned, but accessible using VPNs, while YouTube and TikTok have faced bans in the past.
Pakistan journalist arrested over disinformation released
https://arab.news/gjahj
Pakistan journalist arrested over disinformation released
- Farhan Mallick was charged after changes to a disinformation law in January saw punishments of up to three years in prison introduced
- He was arrested over two weeks ago for ‘generating, disseminating anti-state publications and videos, with aim of inciting public violence’
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
