LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the three-year prison sentence of Salman Mirza, who was convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly sharing objectionable images of his cousin. The court also granted him bail, ordering his release upon furnishing surety bonds worth Rs100,000.
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A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry and Justice Sardar Ali Akbar Dogar, heard the appeal for suspension of the jail sentence. During the proceedings, Mirza’s lawyer, Advocate Mian Dawood, argued that the trial court’s verdict was unjustified and lacked evidence.
Advocate Dawood stated that both the complainant and the affected party had testified in court confirming that Mirza had not shared any objectionable material. He further contended that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against his client.
The lawyer also alleged that the case was part of a personal vendetta, suggesting that Mirza’s relatives had framed him to gain control of his late mother’s property. He emphasized that the trial court had ignored key testimonies and proceeded to hand down the sentence without proper justification.
Under the law, defendants sentenced to three years or less are entitled to petition for suspension of the sentence and bail. After reviewing the details of the case and hearing the defense, the LHC bench decided to suspend the prison sentence and allowed Mirza’s release on bail.
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The ruling highlights the importance of evidence-based prosecution under PECA and reinforces the right of defendants to appeal sentences they believe are unjust. Legal experts say the decision sets a precedent for careful judicial scrutiny in cases involving electronic crimes and personal disputes.