Matiullah Jan, a critic of military influence in Pakistani politics, was granted bail by an anti-terrorism court in the capital Islamabad in a terrorism and narcotics case, his lawyer, Imaan Mazari, said in a text message. "He should be home by this evening," Mazari said.

A Pakistani journalist, Matiullah Jan, was arrested under anti-terror laws while investigating alleged deaths in protests supporting ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. Jan faced charges of drug possession and attempted murder but was released on bail.

Pakistani authorities arrested nearly 1,000 supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan who stormed the capital this week to demand his release, the city's police chief said on Wednesday.