Pakistan's top court on Monday (9) granted bail to the owner of one of the country's largest media groups, after a months-long detention condemned by rights groups as suppression of the press.
Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman's Jang Group, which includes some of Pakistan's biggest newspapers and the Geo television network, has frequently been critical of prime minister Imran Khan's government as well as the country's powerful military.
He was arrested in March over alleged corruption in a land transaction dating back to 1986, an accusation denied by his representatives who in turn alleged that Pakistan's corruption watchdog targeted him because Rehman's media group looked into the agency's workings.
"The court has granted bail to Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman, he is going to be released after spending more than 200 days in detention", Rana Jawad, Geo TV's director of news, told AFP.
Last week, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Pakistan's supreme court to order Rehman's release, saying he was being held on a "spurious charge".
RSF added Rehman's group was targeted because its journalists "dare to tackle stories that are supposed to be off-limits".
Pakistan routinely ranks among the world's most dangerous countries for media workers and criticism of the country's powerful security establishment has long been seen as a red line.
Journalists and bloggers have complained of intimidation tactics including kidnappings, beatings, and even killings if they cross that line.
Last month, a Geo journalist briefly went missing after reporting on the controversial arrest of an opposition politician.
Geo News, which has been critical of both the government and the army, has faced several brief broadcast suspensions in recent years.
In recent years the space for dissent has shrunk further, with the government announcing a crackdown on social networks and traditional media houses decrying pressure from authorities they say has resulted in widespread self-censorship.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)