ISLAMABAD: Local court in Islamabad today approved pre-arrest bail of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Senator Hafiz Hamdullah, for harassing human rights activist Marvi Sirmed.

Additional session judge Raja Asif Mahmood was hearing the case. During the hearing the lawyer told the court that Marvi Sirmed is in Karachi, therefore, the court should extend the hearing’s time till August 24.

The judge expressed resentment and said that Marvi was also not present in previous hearing and directed the lawyer to ask from trial court for time extension.

Subsequently, the court accepted the bail of Hamdullah on a surety bond of Rs 30,000 and ordered to contact regional magistrate for further proceeding.

Earlier, Marvi Sirmed filed an application in Kohsar police station, Islamabad, for the registration of a case against Hafiz Hamdullah.

Sirmed accused Hamdullah of threatening her with severe consequences during a program on a private television channel.

Marvi Sirmed and Hafiz Hamdullah were involved in a fiery exchange of arguments during the recording of a programme that was to be aired on a private news channel.

Sirmed also alleged Hamdullah of maligning her character along with assaulting her as well in the application she filed in the police station. She stated that the JUI-F senator used vulgar language against her and threatened her of severe consequences.