Cynthia Ritchie case: IHC issues notices to interior, CD secretaries and DG FIA

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued notices to the secretaries of the Cabinet Division and Interior, as well as the director general (DG) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding directions to the government to deport Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.

A single bench of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition of Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) Rawalpindi chapter secretary general Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad, against the US blogger, who is currently residing in Pakistan.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel argued that Cynthia was a foreign national, and was staying in Pakistan without a valid visa.

He added that her visa had expired and yet respondents were not proceeding against her in accordance with the law.

He contended that Cynthia was not a registered voter, but had been allowed and facilitated to interfere and comment on political matters of the country.

He argued that she was being facilitated to "tarnish the image of Pakistan bringing political leadership into disrepute through false and concocted statements/allegations.

He argued that activities of the US blogger were in violation of the terms and conditions of the visa, which was earlier granted to her, while the respondents were refusing to act in accordance with the law.

After hearing his arguments, the IHC bench directed to issue notices to respondents number, 2, 3 and 4, for filing report, and para-wise comments before the next date fixed.

Justice Minallah also ordered that an authorised representative should be nominated by the interior secretary to appear before the court on next date, and explain whether visa of respondent no 1 had expired.

If so, then what course is required to be adopted under the law?

The CJP said: "The authorized representative shall also explain whether the terms and conditions of visa issued to a foreign national allows the latter to make statements of political nature as alleged on behalf of the petitioner in case of respondent No 1."

After issuing aforementioned directions, the court adjourned hearing in the matter till July 3rd for further proceedings.

In his petition, he cited Cynthia, secretary Cabinet Division, secretary Interior, the DG FIA, and the chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan as respondents.

Ahmad has moved the court through advocates, Chaudhry Furrukh Isamil and Chaudhry Tanveer Akhtar.

He contended that as per his knowledge the visa of Cynthia had expired in the month of March, owing to which, her stay in Pakistan had become 'illegal'.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020