KARACHI – Acclaimed filmmaker Jamshed Mahmood Raza, popularly known as Jami, was granted bail on Thursday by the Sindh High Court (SHC) after he challenged his recent conviction in a defamation case.
Background of the Case
Jami was handed a two-year prison sentence and a Rs 10,000 fine last week by a sessions court in Karachi under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The conviction stemmed from a 2019 incident during the Lahooti Melo festival, where Jami read out a letter from an anonymous sexual assault survivor. The letter, later shared online, was interpreted by some as implicating director Sohail Javed, who subsequently filed a defamation suit.
The court ruled that Jami failed to deny or clarify the identity implications following publication of the letter and did not produce evidence to support his claims of ignorance regarding its content.
Appeal and Bail
Following the conviction, Jami’s legal team filed an appeal in the Sindh High Court, arguing that the sentence was excessive, the offence was bailable, and due legal process had not been followed. The SHC accepted the appeal and granted him interim bail, pending further proceedings. Details regarding the bail conditions have not been disclosed.
Broader Implications
The case has reignited debate around freedom of expression and defamation laws in Pakistan, particularly in the creative and media sectors. Legal experts suggest that the upcoming proceedings in SHC may set important precedents regarding artistic freedom, anonymous testimony, and online accountability.
Jami had previously reached a court-approved compromise in a separate defamation case involving Dawn CEO Hameed Haroon in 2021, in which both parties agreed to withdraw allegations against one another.
The filmmaker’s bail brings temporary relief, but the legal battle is far from over. The court will now deliberate on the merits of the conviction and whether the original ruling adhered to the principles of justice.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
