FIA releases journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat on personal bond

• The journalists have responded to the charges against them, say sources within FIA.
• Both journalists deny allegations, terming them "false" and "baseless".
• FIA had taken Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat into custody this morning.

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LAHORE: Journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat were released on Saturday by the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) cybercrime wing, after the two submitted a personal bond.

However, a First Information Report has been registered against the two journalists. 

Sources within the FIA told Geo News that the journalists have provided written responses to the charges against them.

According to Mir's statement, he denies all allegations levelled against him, saying that his struggles as a journalist are aimed at defending the interests of Pakistan.

"The allegation of working against the interest of Pakistan is baseless," claimed Mir in his statement.

Similarly, Shafqat also rubbished the allegations against him, terming them "false and baseless".

According to FIA, the journalists have been charged under Sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 500 (punishment for defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

It said that the journalists were booked for allegedly defaming honorable judges, Pakistan Army, and disrespecting women.

The FIA spokesman said two channels being run by the journalists broadcast messages and programmes "aimed at weakening the nation’s trust in state institutions".

He said that the journalists have been released on bail but investigations against them are still underway.

The FIA will submit a case challan after collecting more evidence against the journalists, he added.

The FIA's cybercrime wing had taken Mir and Shafqat into custody earlier in the day but at the time it was not clear what they had been charged with.