KARACHI: Police released a local journalist on Saturday as a court reprimanded the police for overstepping their mandate, a lawyer for journalist Bilal Farooqi said.

Farooqi was arrested on charges of defaming the country's army and spreading religious hatred on Friday.

"The court asked the police if a FIR (first information report) does not stand ground, who has given you authority to pick up people from home," Ghulam Shabbir, Farooqi's lawyer told Reuters.

Shabbir said he expected the police report to be submitted within a week and for the case to be discharged.