An appeal against the acquittals which is ongoing in Pakistan's Supreme Court had effectively halted their release, but defence lawyers argued against their continued detention in the south of the country. The court has found there is "no valid reason for depriving them of their freedom," said Mahmood Sheikh, who is representing Sheikh and his co-defendants. "The release might take place today and if not then it is in the next 24 hours. In a written order issued Thursday, the court said all four "shall be released from jail forthwith on the receipt of this order". Pearl was South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal when he was abducted in Karachi in January 2002 while researching a story about Islamist militants.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 24, 2020 11:26 UTC