Islamabad/Kashgil News
Journalist Sohrab Barkat, considered the voice of the Kashmiri people, was recently arrested again on the basis of a fourth FIR, however, the court of Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah has approved his bail in this case.
According to sources, Sohrab Barkat had already obtained bail in three cases, in one of which the Supreme Court of Pakistan also granted bail. After the latest arrest, his lawyer Barrister Saad Rasool, while giving arguments in the court, took the position that repeatedly filing cases on the same type of allegations reflects malice and is against fundamental rights as well as legal principles. After hearing the arguments, the court granted bail and issued an order for his release.
Family sources and close associates say that Sohrab Barkat raised his voice against the alleged injustices in Kashmir while living in Pakistan and took a public stand during the strike called by the Joint Public Action Committee.
Some quarters say that continuous action is being taken against those who express opinions that go against the state narrative, and the repeated registration of new FIRs is raising serious questions regarding fundamental rights. The people of Overseas Jammu and Kashmir are also concerned about this case and it is likely that Kashmiris living abroad will issue protest or condemnatory statements in this regard.
Human rights organizations have also reacted to the arrest and cases of Sohrab Barkat, demanding a transparent legal process and protection of freedom of expression. So far, no official detailed statement has been released by the government or relevant institutions on this latest arrest.
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