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Rehman Malik & Yusuf Raza Gillani & Cynthia Ritchie exchange defamation notices [Post#150]

IHC rejects US blogger's petition to stop FIA's probe

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday rejected US blogger Cynthia Richie’s plea to stop the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from taking action against her.

The IHC heard the petition to dismiss the decision of a district session court which had ordered the registration of a case against the foreign blogger for defaming former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the decision of the sessions court did not order the registration of the case but only asked the FIA to investigate.

The court dismissed Cynthia’s appeal declaring it inadmissible.

“Court can’t interfere in FIA’s investigation,” the court remarked and ordered the agency to continue its probe against Cynthia in accordance with the law.

It should be noted that the local court in Islamabad had ordered the FIA to investigate and register a case.

Earlier on June 15, the Islamabad additional district and sessions judge Muhammad Jehangir Awan announced the two-page reserved verdict on PPP Islamabad President Shakeel Abbasi’s petition, seeking registration of a criminal case against Cynthia for passing “extremely derogatory and slanderous remarks about Benazir Bhutto”.

The judge wrote in the verdict that Benazir “died in the year 2007 and there is a lapse of more than 12 years in between this intervening period but the accused never agitated this fact before any forum or Competent Authority and even not disclosed on any media. So, at this stage after the lapse of 12 years her disclosure to malign the character of a deceased leader is apparently based upon mala-fide”.

The verdict stated, “There is no denial from the accused [Cynthia] that she created this tweet on social media. Hence, a crime has been committed falling under Peca Act 2016 and FIA is competent to investigate the matter in accordance with the law.”

It read, “Under the circumstances, the application is hereby accepted and FIA is directed to proceed in accordance with the law, conduct an inquiry and if there is sufficient material, register an FIR.”

Earlier, the Islamabad police had refused to register a case. The FIA had also prayed the court to dismiss the petition, seeking registration of a case against Cynthia.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2248049/1-ihc-rejects-us-bloggers-petition-stop-fias-probe/
 
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed the petition of US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie seeking to set aside the order to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to proceed against her for defaming former prime minister and slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah ruled that the FIA was empowered to conduct an inquiry into the alleged derogatory tweets against Ms Bhutto even if no order had been passed by the learned Justice of Peace.

Soon after the dismissal of her petition, the Pakistan-based American blogger in another onslaught on chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior Rehman Malik addressed the media and hurled new allegations against him. She accused the PPP senator of telling her “horrific stories” against Ms Bhutto.

Earlier on June 15, Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Jahangir Awan had on a petition of PPP’s Islamabad president Raja Shakeel Abbasi observed that “a crime has been committed falling under Pakistan Electronic Crime Act-2016” and directed the FIA to conduct an inquiry and proceed against the blogger in accordance with the law.

Challenging the order of the sessions court before the IHC, the counsel for Ritchie, Imran Feroz Malik, argued that the judge “has ignored the fact that under the FIA laws, registration of FIR is not mandatory, it’s always subject to result of inquiry, and FIA has been vested with the power to refuse to register FIR if during inquiry the information is found to be false, hence an order directing the FIA to register FIR is otherwise against the express provisions of law hence are liable to be set aside”.

When the matter came up for hearing before the IHC on Monday, her counsel was asked how his client was aggrieved when the directive to the FIA was only to the extent of conducting an inquiry on the petition of PPP’s district leadership.

The counsel said the sessions court also decided the question of jurisdiction. He said the FIA in its reply to Judge Awan had expressed inability to proceed on the application of Mr Abbasi. He pointed out that the FIA had discarded the PPP leader’s contention on the ground of locus standi [right of audience] as Mr Abbasi was not aggrieved person within the meaning of Prevention of Cyber Crime Act 2016. Yet Judge Awan directed the FIA to proceed against the blogger with the registration of an FIR, the counsel said.

The IHC chief justice, however, observed: “The competent authority of the Federal Investigation Agency while conducting an inquiry is expected to consider whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and the material collected during the course of inquiry an offence is made out under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 and whether the Agency is vested with jurisdiction to proceed with the matter.”

The competent authority would obviously be considering the material and then form an opinion whether or not to register a case, Justice Minallah added.

The IHC observed that the FIA was “empowered to conduct an inquiry even if no order had been passed by the learned Justice of Peace”. The agency, while proceeding in the matter, was expected not to be influenced by any observation made in the impugned order, Justice Minallah observed.

“This court is satisfied that interference is not required and, therefore, the petition is dismissed as being without merit,” the IHC ruled.

Following the dismissal of her petition as being without merit, Ms Ritchie spoke to the media and claimed that “certain events” in Pakistan prompted her to speak against the injustice. She disclosed that “certain people” within the PPP, including former interior minister Malik, told her horrific stories against Ms Bhutto.

https://dawn.com/news/3001023/fia-can-probe-cynthias-tweets-ihc
 
ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and senior PPP leader Rehman Malik, through his lawyers, served another defamation notice of Rs500 billion to US blogger Cynthia Ritchie over what he claims are false, frivolous and baseless allegations during her media talk outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday, reported The News.

Speaking to media outside the IHC on Monday, Ritchie had alleged that horrific stories against former prime minister Benazir Bhutto were told to her by Malik.

According to the legal notice, Malik had never had any such conversation with the US citizen.

He strongly rejected all allegations against him, terming them malice, highly derogatory and defamatory and a pack of lies to damage his national and international reputation which he has earned after tireless struggle for decades as investigator, politician, parliamentarian, former interior minister and author of three books and hundreds of articles published in national and international media.

Malik said he considers it below his dignity to respond to the baseless and malicious allegations levelled against him by a foreign lady and has decided to take her to court with her pack of lies to face the law.

On June 9, Malik, who has been accused of rape by Ritchie, has couriered her a second defamation notice worth Rs50 billion. A Rs500 million defamation notice was sent a day prior in response to Ritchie's allegations against the former interior minister.

The June 9 notice was sent in connection with the US blogger's appearance on various news channels on Sunday and "levelling baseless allegations" against the senator on air.

"Cynthia Ritchie's accusations are a pack of lies. I strongly reject them," said Malik

"[She] levelled undue and baseless allegations on television programmes," he added.

"I will have her answer for her lies in court," Malik vowed.

Cynthia Ritchie moves court against Rehman Malik
Separately, Ritchie filed a petition in the court for justice of peace-seeking directions for registration of a case against the PPP leader.

The petition was filed by Ritchie’s lawyer Imran Faroz Malik in the court of Additional Session Judge Javed Iqbal Sipra on Tuesday. The petition stated that the US citizen was facing life threats from Malik. It stated that an application was submitted in this regard at Secretariat Police but no action was taken by the police.

The petition added that PPP leaders Malik, Yusaf Raza Gillani and others were harassing her and sought registration of case against the alleged accused.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/294591-rehman-malik-serves-third-defamation-notice-to-cynthia-ritchie
 
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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police on Saturday described US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie’s complaint in which she sought criminal proceedings against PPP Senator Rehman Malik for allegedly raping her as baseless and opposed registration of a first information report in the matter.

The Secretariat Police submitted the report on Ms Ritchie’s case before the additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ), Javed Iqbal Sipra, and suggested that instead of proceeding further Ms Ritchie’s application might be filed to record.

The police report stated that Ms Ritchie had neither produced any evidence to prove her rape nor had she placed any material on record to show that she had been harassed.

Ms Richie had on June 17 filed an application with the Secretariat Police Station, stating that former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik in connivance with former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had employed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s media cell to intimidate, threaten, harass and defame her on social media.

She also accused Mr Malik, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, of raping her at his residence in 2011.

Last week, Ms Ritchie filed an application before the ADSJ for issuing direction to police for registration of a criminal case against Mr Malik.

The police in response to the court order submitted the report in this matter.

The police stated in the report that Ms Richie had not filed any complaint with the Secretariat Police Station regarding her rape allegations back in 2011. The police also maintained that no medical report had been attached with the application as evidence to prove that she had been assaulted.

The police termed the stance of Ms Richie doubtful in the absence of substantial evidence and inadequate for registering an FIR as the police found no truth in it.

The US blogger appeared at the police station and was questioned by a team of police officers. According to the police, she failed to give any evidence in support of her claims which seemed to be aiming at damaging Mr Malik’s reputation.

The court put off further proceeding in this case till July 8.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565674/police-term-cynthias-rape-complaint-baseless
 
The PPP trying to get Cynthia deported while at the same time trying to start cases against her for defamation. Is anyone also confused with this strategy.The PPP are running scared and are get humiliated at the hands of their own in the form of CJP of IHC, Minullah.

 
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the visa of US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie had expired in February this year. It said Ms Ritchie had applied for an extension in the visa, which was subject to clearance of her name by intelligence agencies.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Mohammad Tayyab, in response to the petition seeking deportation of Ms Ritchie, submitted a reply by the interior ministry.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had last week sought an explanation from the interior ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ms Ritchie, asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements.

The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed who is an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has adopted in the petition that Ms Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He sought her deportation.

Mr Tayyab told the court that after the expiry of her visa in February, Ms Ritchie had applied for extension; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government extended the validity of all visas till Aug 31. He said that because of standing instructions of the federal government the interior ministry had already extended the visas of all foreign nationals till Aug 31.

The application of Ms Ritchie is pending before the interior ministry.

The deputy attorney general said the US blogger’s application had also been referred to intelligence agencies and her further stay in Pakistan was subject to clearance of her name by them.

As per the interior ministry’s reply, Ms Ritchie obtained a business visa in 2017. A Peshawar-based businessman has been shown as her sponsor in the visa application form. Her visa has been extended from time to time and it finally expired in February.

The joint interior secretary informed the court that 96 countries were included in the Business Friendly list of Pakistan. He said the citizens of these countries could obtain a business visa for a term of one year to five years. He, however, said that there was no hard and fast rule for issuance of visa for any specified term.

Chief Justice Minallah termed the the interior ministry’s response not satisfactory.

Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, the petitioner’s counsel, informed the court that Ms Ritchie was not a registered voter and yet she had been allowed and facilitated to interfere and comment on political matters. He pointed out that in a recent tweet, she suggested DNA test for PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Mr Khosa requested the court to impose a ban on political tweets of the US blogger.

Chief Justice Minallah remarked that he had already issued a directive for the interior ministry to apprise the court of the terms and condition of Ms Ritchie’s visa.

The court directed the interior ministry to pass a speaking order on the matter related to the political communication of Ms Ritchie after hearing her as well as the point of view of the complainant side.

Further hearing in this matter has been adjourned till July 10.

It may be mentioned that an additional district and sessions judge has already restrained Ms Ritchie from giving statements against PPP lea*der Rehman Malik. However, since the blogger continued tweeting agai*nst Mr Malik, the latter filed a contempt petition in the same court.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1566899/cynthias-visa-expired-in-february-ihc-told
 
MenInG said:
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the visa of US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie had expired in February this year. It said Ms Ritchie had applied for an extension in the visa, which was subject to clearance of her name by intelligence agencies.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Mohammad Tayyab, in response to the petition seeking deportation of Ms Ritchie, submitted a reply by the interior ministry.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had last week sought an explanation from the interior ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ms Ritchie, asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements.

The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed who is an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has adopted in the petition that Ms Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He sought her deportation.

Mr Tayyab told the court that after the expiry of her visa in February, Ms Ritchie had applied for extension; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government extended the validity of all visas till Aug 31. He said that because of standing instructions of the federal government the interior ministry had already extended the visas of all foreign nationals till Aug 31.

The application of Ms Ritchie is pending before the interior ministry.

The deputy attorney general said the US blogger’s application had also been referred to intelligence agencies and her further stay in Pakistan was subject to clearance of her name by them.

As per the interior ministry’s reply, Ms Ritchie obtained a business visa in 2017. A Peshawar-based businessman has been shown as her sponsor in the visa application form. Her visa has been extended from time to time and it finally expired in February.

The joint interior secretary informed the court that 96 countries were included in the Business Friendly list of Pakistan. He said the citizens of these countries could obtain a business visa for a term of one year to five years. He, however, said that there was no hard and fast rule for issuance of visa for any specified term.

Chief Justice Minallah termed the the interior ministry’s response not satisfactory.

Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, the petitioner’s counsel, informed the court that Ms Ritchie was not a registered voter and yet she had been allowed and facilitated to interfere and comment on political matters. He pointed out that in a recent tweet, she suggested DNA test for PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Mr Khosa requested the court to impose a ban on political tweets of the US blogger.

Chief Justice Minallah remarked that he had already issued a directive for the interior ministry to apprise the court of the terms and condition of Ms Ritchie’s visa.

The court directed the interior ministry to pass a speaking order on the matter related to the political communication of Ms Ritchie after hearing her as well as the point of view of the complainant side.

Further hearing in this matter has been adjourned till July 10.

It may be mentioned that an additional district and sessions judge has already restrained Ms Ritchie from giving statements against PPP lea*der Rehman Malik. However, since the blogger continued tweeting agai*nst Mr Malik, the latter filed a contempt petition in the same court.


https://www.dawn.com/news/1566899/cynthias-visa-expired-in-february-ihc-told
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The PPP are desperate for her to get her deported,Surely you want her to stay to face the Rehman Malik defamation charge.
 
Bewal Express said:
The PPP are desperate for her to get her deported,Surely you want her to stay to face the Rehman Malik defamation charge.
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Never seen a judge like: IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. I hope he never becomes Chief Justice or Pakistan is doomed.
 
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked the interior ministry to take a decision, according to law, on a PPP petition seeking to deport US blogger Cynthia D Ritchie.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah was conducting the proceedings of a petition filed by a PPP supporter Iftikhar Ahmed who is seeking Ritchie's deportation on grounds that her visa has expired.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Mohammad Tayyab Shah submitted an interim report on behalf of the federal government, telling the court that the petitioner has not appeared before the interior ministry about his plea.

To which, Justice Minullah remarked: “This is a sovereign state, we are watching the conduct of the ministry”.

He further said that there was no reason for proceedings as "the law should take its own path".

Justice Minullah asked the interior ministry to decide upon the plea according to law.

The court directed the parties in the case to appear before the ministry on Wednesday at 1pm and record their statements.

The IHC also urged the ministry to decide upon Ritchie’s stay in Pakistan and the extension of her visa until July 15 and then inform the court.

The US blogger, along with her lawyer, also appeared before the court. In an earlier hearing, the court was told that Ritchie’s visa had expired earlier in February and since then she has been staying in Pakistan with an invalid visa.

IHC quashes Ritchie's plea against FIA inquiry
Separately, Ritchie had moved the High Court last month, in a bid to stop the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from registering a case against her.

The move came the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ASJ) Jahangir Awan had directed the FIA to register a case against Ritchie, who has levelled harassment allegations against the PPP leadership after a public spat with the party.

The plea, however, was quashed by the IHC. The court said that it could not interfere in the FIA's investigations and ordered the agency to continue its probe into the US blogger according to law.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'
In a video broadcast live on Facebook last month, Ritchie had alleged that senior PPP leader Rehman Malik had raped her while two others had "manhandled" her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 when the PPP was in power, and when the individual she accused of rape had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani (who has publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/297281-pp...r-ministry-to-decide-on-cynthia-ritchies-stay
 
MenInG said:
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked the interior ministry to take a decision, according to law, on a PPP petition seeking to deport US blogger Cynthia D Ritchie.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah was conducting the proceedings of a petition filed by a PPP supporter Iftikhar Ahmed who is seeking Ritchie's deportation on grounds that her visa has expired.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Mohammad Tayyab Shah submitted an interim report on behalf of the federal government, telling the court that the petitioner has not appeared before the interior ministry about his plea.

To which, Justice Minullah remarked: “This is a sovereign state, we are watching the conduct of the ministry”.

He further said that there was no reason for proceedings as "the law should take its own path".

Justice Minullah asked the interior ministry to decide upon the plea according to law.

The court directed the parties in the case to appear before the ministry on Wednesday at 1pm and record their statements.

The IHC also urged the ministry to decide upon Ritchie’s stay in Pakistan and the extension of her visa until July 15 and then inform the court.

The US blogger, along with her lawyer, also appeared before the court. In an earlier hearing, the court was told that Ritchie’s visa had expired earlier in February and since then she has been staying in Pakistan with an invalid visa.

IHC quashes Ritchie's plea against FIA inquiry
Separately, Ritchie had moved the High Court last month, in a bid to stop the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from registering a case against her.

The move came the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ASJ) Jahangir Awan had directed the FIA to register a case against Ritchie, who has levelled harassment allegations against the PPP leadership after a public spat with the party.

The plea, however, was quashed by the IHC. The court said that it could not interfere in the FIA's investigations and ordered the agency to continue its probe into the US blogger according to law.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'
In a video broadcast live on Facebook last month, Ritchie had alleged that senior PPP leader Rehman Malik had raped her while two others had "manhandled" her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 when the PPP was in power, and when the individual she accused of rape had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani (who has publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/297281-pp...r-ministry-to-decide-on-cynthia-ritchies-stay
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What happened to the billion rp claims against her? Everything she has claimed against the PPP has been factual and they are kaking bricks. I hope Cynthia destroys these criminals.
 
ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday that American blogger Cynthia Ritchie is not involved in any anti-state or illegal activities and can legally stay in Pakistan till August 31.

The report by the ministry was submitted to the IHC as a hearing took place on a petition seeking to deport the American citizen.

The ministry representative told the court that Ritchie is not involved in any anti-state or illegal activities and the visa for foreigners had been extended by the government till August 31.

The IHC was informed that Ritchie has already filed an application seeking an extension in her visa and the decision regarding the matter will be taken after August 31.

The court also directed the ministry to share the report with the petitioner.

'Ministry tried to mislead the court'

Former Punjab governor and lawyer Latif Khosa, while commenting on the report, stated that he was not satisfied with the document presented by the ministry.

Khosa alleged that the interior ministry had tried to mislead the court. The former Punjab governor also alleged that the interior secretary was not taking action according to law. “The secretary interior should be forced to take action in accordance with the law," he said.

Khosa said the report had stated that Ritchie’s visa was valid and also that she was not involved in any anti-state activity.

“We will prove that the visa is incorrect and that she is involved in anti-state activities,” said Khosa, adding that the US blogger will have to be deported after being convicted.

Last week, the IHC had asked the interior ministry to decide according to law, on a PPP petition seeking to deport Ritchie.

The IHC also urged the ministry to decide upon Ritchie’s stay in Pakistan and the extension of her visa until July 15 and then inform the court.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'

Ritchie's matter landed in the court after the blogger in a video broadcast live on Facebook several weeks ago, alleged that senior PPP leader and former interior minister Rehman Malik had raped her, while two other senior members of the party, including former prime minister Gillani, had "manhandled" her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 when the PPP was in power, and when Malik, whom she accused of rape, had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and Gillani (who has publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying at the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/298414-in...-involved-in-anti-state-or-illegal-activities
 
MenInG said:
ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday that American blogger Cynthia Ritchie is not involved in any anti-state or illegal activities and can legally stay in Pakistan till August 31.

The report by the ministry was submitted to the IHC as a hearing took place on a petition seeking to deport the American citizen.

The ministry representative told the court that Ritchie is not involved in any anti-state or illegal activities and the visa for foreigners had been extended by the government till August 31.

The IHC was informed that Ritchie has already filed an application seeking an extension in her visa and the decision regarding the matter will be taken after August 31.

The court also directed the ministry to share the report with the petitioner.

'Ministry tried to mislead the court'

Former Punjab governor and lawyer Latif Khosa, while commenting on the report, stated that he was not satisfied with the document presented by the ministry.

Khosa alleged that the interior ministry had tried to mislead the court. The former Punjab governor also alleged that the interior secretary was not taking action according to law. “The secretary interior should be forced to take action in accordance with the law," he said.

Khosa said the report had stated that Ritchie’s visa was valid and also that she was not involved in any anti-state activity.

“We will prove that the visa is incorrect and that she is involved in anti-state activities,” said Khosa, adding that the US blogger will have to be deported after being convicted.

Last week, the IHC had asked the interior ministry to decide according to law, on a PPP petition seeking to deport Ritchie.

The IHC also urged the ministry to decide upon Ritchie’s stay in Pakistan and the extension of her visa until July 15 and then inform the court.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'

Ritchie's matter landed in the court after the blogger in a video broadcast live on Facebook several weeks ago, alleged that senior PPP leader and former interior minister Rehman Malik had raped her, while two other senior members of the party, including former prime minister Gillani, had "manhandled" her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 when the PPP was in power, and when Malik, whom she accused of rape, had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and Gillani (who has publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying at the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/298414-in...-involved-in-anti-state-or-illegal-activities
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They PPP are running scared of Cynthia, her revelations which by the way are true has Mrs James and all the crooks are being humiliated.
 
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie is living in Pakistan on an ‘extended’ visa and she is working on film projects in collaboration with the military’s media affairs wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

The Ministry in its report submitted to the IHC on Friday stated that Ms Ritchie “informed in her application that she had been working with Walkabout Films in collaboration with ISPR and the KPK Government on various film projects in the country. She further stated that she was waiting for complete documents for the formal extension of her business visa for one year which may take a few more days therefore she requested for a temporary extension of 30 days in her visa.”

“She also attached a letter no. 01/IAAD/2018 dated 27.12.2018 from ISPR stating that Walkabout Films Private Limited is undertaking various projects in collaboration with ISPR and she is working with Walkabout Films on some projects,” the report said.

Interior ministry says US blogger is living on ‘extended’ visa

Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar submitted that Ms Ritchie’s visa stood extended till August 31 and she had not committed any illegality or any undesirable or anti-state activity as alleged.

The court adjourned the hearing till next week for final arguments on the petition of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) activist Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, who had challenged her long stay in Pakistan after the expiry of her business visa in March and alleged involvement in a media campaign against leaders of the opposition party.

According to the petition, her business visa expired on March 2, 2020 and she was not entitled to stay in Pakistan afterwards. The business via had been granted on March 18, 2019 without fulfilling the legal formalities, the petitioner alleged, adding that she also misstated information in her visa extension application submitted to the Ministry of Interior after the expiry of her business visa in March.

The petitioner referred to various activities of the respondent and her media statements and social media posts, which according to him were derogatory and objectionable.

According to the Interior Ministry’s report, “Cynthia D. Ritchie denied all the allegations against her, she stated that her visa expired on March 2, 2020 and she submitted an application before the date of expiry. However, due to Covid-19 situation, no extensions were being processed and all foreigners were granted extension, therefore, she was still staying in Pakistan under a valid visa as extended by the Ministry of Interior.”

Regarding her visa, Ms Ritchie said it was not mandatory for every business visa holder to register a company in Pakistan rather business could be carried out in partnership with other companies. She said she was an active taxpayer in the US and also annexed copies of various documents issued by Internal Revenue Service of Department of the Treasury and others regarding her company in the US with the name of DIFFERENT LENS PRODUCTION LLC registered with California Secretary of State.

She said the police authorities in Islamabad had issued her an entry pass for her residence in Diplomatic Enclave after all necessary verifications as police were informed about her movements.

About her visits to the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), the US blogger explained that interviewing tribal leaders and going anywhere in Pakistan was not a crime under any law of Pakistan as she always travelled with appropriate clearances from authorities concerned. She also clarified her statements in social media and denied that she had committed any crime of defamation against any political leadership, according to the Ministry of Interior.

The report further stated that her application for extension in visa was still under process. As per record the application for visa extension was received in March 2020, however due to Covid-19 situation and general extension in visa validity of foreign nationals it was processed in the concerned section on June 2.

“As far as the activities of Ritchie on social media as alleged in the complaint are concerned, this Ministry has not received any adverse report from any concerned organisation / agency so far,” the report said.

According to the Interior Ministry, the matter related to her social media post is already sub judice and being probed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. However, the ministry also claimed that it had not received any adverse report on the activities of the respondent on social media as being alleged by the petitioner and therefore no action by the ministry was required at this stage.

The report then added that the respondent was required to strictly comply with the laws of Pakistan while staying and doing business in Pakistan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1569647/cynthia-working-on-ispr-kp-govt-projects-court-told
 
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday termed the interior ministry’s report on US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie’s case as unsatisfactory and directed the interior secretary to review it.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a worker of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Iftikhar Ahmed, in which he had requested it to instruct the interior ministry to expel Ms Ritchie over visa and passport-related issues and her alleged defamatory tweets against PPP leaders.

Last week the interior ministry had submitted a report to the IHC, which said Ms Ritchie was in Pakistan on an extended visa. The ministry, however, did not comment on the allegations that she had posted defamatory tweets against the PPP leadership, saying the matter was sub judice.

In its report, the ministry said that Ms Ritchie was visiting Pakistan on a business visa and was working on some projects of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

The court had referred the matter to the interior ministry through a verbal order after hearing the stance of the US blogger.

Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, the counsel for the petitioner, pointed out that Ms Ritchie had not been registered as a voter in any constituency in the country and yet she had tweeted on local political matters.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that the allegations against the US citizen were of serious nature. He inquired about the projects on which she was working in collaboration with the ISPR and the provincial government and whether any taxpayer funds were disbursed for the projects.

Justice Minallah remar*ked that it was the responsibility of the state to conduct transparent investigations into the allegations levelled against the blogger and that the interior secretary should keep in mind the reputation of the country while considering the matter.

Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar sought some time from the court to seek instructions from the government. Subsequently, the hearing was adjourned until August 4.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1570937/ihc-rejects-ministrys-report-on-cynthia-case
 
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday told the interior ministry to decide in three weeks whether US blogger Cynthia Ritchie is to be deported or not, a few months after she allegedly made slanderous allegations against the PPP leadership.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah was conducting the proceedings of a petition filed by a PPP supporter Iftikhar Ahmed who is seeking Ritchie's deportation on grounds that her visa has expired.

The American citizen has drawn the ire of the PPP for issuing remarks against the party's leadership, which ultimately led to a war of words between the two sides with Ritchie accusing former interior minister Rehman Malik of raping her.

At the outset of the hearing, Justice Minallah said it was yet to be ascertained either Cynthia was working with the government or any other institution, adding there was a dire need to dispel the impression that any institution was behind the issuance of her disapproving remarks.

In an earlier hearing, the court was told that Ritchie’s visa had expired in February and since then she has been staying in Pakistan with an invalid visa.

Separately, Ritchie had moved the High Court a few months ago, in a bid to stop the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from registering a case against her.

The move came after the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ASJ) Jahangir Awan had directed the FIA to register a case against Ritchie, who has levelled harassment and rape allegations against the PPP leadership.

The plea, however, was quashed by the IHC. The court said that it could not interfere in the FIA's investigations and ordered the agency to continue its probe into the US blogger according to law.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'

In a video broadcast live on Facebook a few months ago, Ritchie had alleged that senior PPP leader Rehman Malik had raped her while two others had "manhandled" her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 when the PPP was in power, and when the individual she accused of rape had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani (who has publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/301450-ih...ry-3-weeks-to-decide-cynthia-deportation-case
 
Interior ministry directs US blogger Cynthia Ritchie to leave country in 15 days

The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday rejected an application for visa extension of US blogger Cynthia Ritchie, directing her to leave the country within 15 days, Radio Pakistan reported.

The development comes a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed dissatisfaction over the interior ministry’s recent order related to the validity of Ritchie’s visa and gave the government a final opportunity to render proper assistance.

In June, the IHC had sought an explanation from the ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ritchie, asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had sought the explanation while taking up a petition filed by an activist of the PPP.

The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, adopted in the petition that Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He sought her deportation.

On Tuesday, the deputy attorney general submitted a copy of a recent order passed by the interior ministry’s secretary to the IHC. The court noted that the secretary had not made reference to any law or policy and appeared to have solely relied on Ritchie’s statement.

The order is self-contradictory and in conflict with the previous order, the IHC observed.

The secretary conceded in his order that Cynthia Ritchie was granted a work visa in violation of policy and laws.

The court observed that the interior secretary had been evasive in recording his findings regarding the crucial question: whether a foreign national visiting Pakistan on the basis of a business visa was entitled to give statements of a political nature.

The court then gave a final opportunity to the federal government to render proper assistance, noting that its conduct so far had raised questions of public importance having consequences relating to enforcement of fundamental rights.

“In case an officer conversant with the applicable laws/policy does not appear on the date fixed, then this court will consider summoning the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, in person,” the court’s order read.

Meanwhile, Ritchie claimed via a tweet that the interior ministry had rejected her application “under pressure”.

“The MoI — under pressure best known to them — has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal & will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application & upon merits grant visa,” she said.

Judge asked to re-examine Cynthia’s plea for FIR
Also on Tuesday, the IHC referred back for review the matter related to registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against former interior minister Rehman Malik over alleged rape of Ritchie.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana, in his capacity as Justice of Peace, had dismissed a petition filed by Ritchie under sections 22-A and 22-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC), seeking a directive for police to register a criminal case against Rehman Malik.

The IHC chief justice observed that the arguments advanced by Malik’s counsel were not in consonance with the principles and law enunciated by the Supreme Court.

The court noted that the Supreme Court had elaborately highlighted the law regarding scope of jurisdiction vested in an ex-officio Justice of Peace.

According to Justice Minallah, “the functions were quasi-judicial in nature because the ex-officio Justice of Peace is required to entertain applications, examine record and after hearing the parties pass orders and issue directions with due application of mind”.

The court order states: “It appears that the learned Ex-Officio Justice of Peace, while passing the impugned order, had not taken to consideration the principles and law enunciated by the august Supreme Court.”

Subsequently, Justice Minallah set aside the ADSJ’s order and referred the matter back to him.

The court asked the district and sessions judge “to assign the matter to a designated Ex-Officio Justice of Peace, other than the judicial officer who had passed the impugned order dated Aug 5, 2020”.

Justice Minallah set a three-week deadline for a decision on the matter.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1577552/i...r-cynthia-ritchie-to-leave-country-in-15-days
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The MoI -under pressure best known to them- has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my Visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal & will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application & upon merits grant visa.</p>— Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaDRitchie/status/1301095914455683073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday rejected an application for visa extension of US blogger Cynthia Ritchie, directing her to leave the country within 15 days, Radio Pakistan reported.

The development comes a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed dissatisfaction over the interior ministry's recent order related to the validity of Ritchie’s visa and gave the government a final opportunity to render proper assistance.

In June, the IHC had sought an explanation from the ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ritchie, asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had sought the explanation while taking up a petition filed by an activist of the PPP.=

The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, adopted in the petition that Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He sought her deportation.

On Tuesday, the deputy attorney general submitted a copy of a recent order passed by the interior ministry’s secretary to the IHC. The court noted that the secretary had not made reference to any law or policy and appeared to have solely relied on Ritchie's statement.

The order is self-contradictory and in conflict with the previous order, the IHC observed.

The secretary conceded in his order that Cynthia Ritchie was granted a work visa in violation of policy and laws.

The court observed that the interior secretary had been evasive in recording his findings regarding the crucial question: whether a foreign national visiting Pakistan on the basis of a business visa was entitled to give statements of a political nature.

The court then gave a final opportunity to the federal government to render proper assistance, noting that its conduct so far had raised questions of public importance having consequences relating to enforcement of fundamental rights.

“In case an officer conversant with the applicable laws/policy does not appear on the date fixed, then this court will consider summoning the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, in person,” the court's order read.

Meanwhile, Ritchie claimed via a tweet that the interior ministry had rejected her application "under pressure".

"The MoI — under pressure best known to them — has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal & will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application & upon merits grant visa," she said.

Judge asked to re-examine Cynthia's plea for FIR
Also on Tuesday, the IHC referred back for review the matter related to registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against former interior minister Rehman Malik over alleged rape of Ritchie.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana, in his capacity as Justice of Peace, had dismissed a petition filed by Ritchie under sections 22-A and 22-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC), seeking a directive for police to register a criminal case against Rehman Malik.

The IHC chief justice observed that the arguments advanced by Malik's counsel were not in consonance with the principles and law enunciated by the Supreme Court.

The court noted that the Supreme Court had elaborately highlighted the law regarding scope of jurisdiction vested in an ex-officio Justice of Peace.

According to Justice Minallah, "the functions were quasi-judicial in nature because the ex-officio Justice of Peace is required to entertain applications, examine record and after hearing the parties pass orders and issue directions with due application of mind".

The court order states: "It appears that the learned Ex-Officio Justice of Peace, while passing the impugned order, had not taken to consideration the principles and law enunciated by the august Supreme Court."

Subsequently, Justice Minallah set aside the ADSJ’s order and referred the matter back to him.

The court asked the district and sessions judge "to assign the matter to a designated Ex-Officio Justice of Peace, other than the judicial officer who had passed the impugned order dated Aug 5, 2020".

Justice Minallah set a three-week deadline for a decision on the matter.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1577552/i...r-cynthia-ritchie-to-leave-country-in-15-days
 
She was living in Pakistan for 10 years!!

Somethings fishy or at the very least highly unusual...

I hope agencies are watching her which I am sure they are

What makes this dangerous is that she knows people from both civilian gov and millitary....
 
Bigboii said:
She was living in Pakistan for 10 years!!

Somethings fishy or at the very least highly unusual...

I hope agencies are watching her which I am sure they are

What makes this dangerous is that she knows people from both civilian gov and millitary....
Click to expand...

Oh Mamoon covered it but I don't know I am not so sure about ISI cause why and how would they use a western white woman to get dirt on Pak politicians they have MUCH better ways to do just that
 
Last edited:
Bigboii said:
Oh Mamoon covered it but I don't know I am not so sure about ISI cause why and how would they use a western white woman to get dirt on Pak politicians they have MUCH better ways to do just that
Click to expand...

I know this rape situation could be the how but know a days rahman, Gillani are not that relevant so not a lot to gain

And if you want to hurt PPP why not ZARDARI or bilawal? Go for the big fish
 
US Blogger Cynthia D Ritchie has submitted a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday, challenging the interior ministry’s decision to deny her a visa extension.

In the petition, Ritchie made the interior secretary, deputy secretary, and director-general Federal Investigation Agency parties to the case, stating that she had fulfilled all the legal obligations required of her — in her visa application — to ensure her continued stay in Pakistan.

Ritchie accused the interior ministry of denying her visa without any solid reason, her petition mentioning that rejecting her visa extension was a violation of the General Clauses Act and the country's visa policy.

Earlier this week, the ministry had rejected Ritchie's visa extension application and asked her to exit the country within 15 days.

In its response to the IHC a day ago, the ministry stated that the American citizen's visa had been extended twice during 2018-19 which was against the law.

It mentioned that the blogger had applied for her work visa extension two times, but she was given a business visa by the authority against the visa policy, adding that her company was not registered in Pakistan either.

The interior ministry on Friday had also submitted its comments to the High court in Cynthia D Ritchie's case, stating that the American blogger should be stopped from making controversial statements that go against the basic rights of citizens.

The response came after the IHC expressed displeasure over the ministry's comments at the previous hearing, instructing it to provide relevant records of its business visa policy.

Ritchie accuses PPP leadership of 'harassment' and 'manhandling'
In a video broadcast live on Facebook in May, Ritchie had alleged that a senior PPP leader had raped her while two others had 'manhandled' her at a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 during the PPP tenure, when the individual she accused of rape had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani (who publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying the President House".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/306303-cy...r-ministrys-decision-to-reject-visa-extension
 
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday stayed an interior ministry decision to deport US blogger Cynthia Ritchie and issued notices to the interior secretary and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general.

The court also directed that Ritchie submit an affidavit detailing all her grievances before the next hearing before adjourning the case indefinitely.

On Saturday, Ritchie had filed a writ petition in the high court against the ministry's decision to reject an extension in her visa, naming the FIA director general and the interior secretary as respondents.

In her plea, Ritchie said her request for a visa extension had been rejected despite providing all the relevant documents, adding that the interior ministry did not state the reasons for doing so either.

During today's hearing, presided over by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, the US blogger's lawyer reiterated that the authorities concerned did not provide a reason for denying Ritchie a visa extension.

At this, Justice Minallah observed that numerous visas are rejected on a daily basis without an explanation.

When her lawyer questioned the law under which her request was denied, the judge replied that no law is required to reject a visa.

"A visa is not a basic right, it is a privilege," the judge remarked. The court also asked whether Ritchie had any other complaints, to which she replied that two petitions were pending in the FIA.

In her petition with the IHC, Ritchie said her visa had expired and she had applied for a work visa with all the necessary documents.

"[But] due to the pandemic situation, the same could not be processed and the visas of all foreigners were extended by a general order, and the same premium was also afforded to the petitioner," it said.

Ritchie said she had moved another application for a work visa due to a change of sponsor which was also not decided due to Covid-19, and was later "shocked" to receive a letter from the interior ministry stating that her visa application had been rejected.

She added that the interior ministry had earlier submitted its comments, during the hearing of a petition filed by an activist of the PPP, that Ritchie was not involved in "anti-state and illegal activity" in Pakistan.

"Further, while filing the visa application all the requirements of a work visa were complied with. Despite that, the visa application was rejected without affording any reasoning," she said in her petition.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1578391/i...try-order-asking-us-blogger-to-leave-pakistan
 
Excellent decision. This spy has no business in Pakistan. Should have been deported ages ago.
 
Slim said:
spy? for whom?
Click to expand...

She has been in Pakistan for over 10 years with no proper job apart from writing mediocre blogs. She has had access to top military and political personnel. It is obvious that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Was definitely employed by CIA/ISI in the past but looks like her purpose has been served and it is now dangerous to keep her in the country.
 
Mamoon said:
She has been in Pakistan for over 10 years with no proper job apart from writing mediocre blogs. She has had access to top military and political personnel. It is obvious that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Was definitely employed by CIA/ISI in the past but looks like her purpose has been served and it is now dangerous to keep her in the country.
Click to expand...

If she was hired by ISI - how is she a spy and against our interests?
 
ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Rehman Malik on Monday approached the Supreme Court (SC), requesting to set aside the order passed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) allowing the writ petition of US blogger Cynthia D Ritchie.

The IHC had earlier this month referred the matter of registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the PPP leader in a rape case to the Justice of Peace for review.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana had dismissed a petition filed by the American national under sections 22-A and 22-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC), seeking court’s directive for the registeration of a criminal case against Rehman Malik.

Urging the apex court to grant leave to appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution against the impugned order of IHC dated September 1, 2020, allowing the writ petition of US blogger, Malik also requested the court to set the impugned order and restore the order passed by the Justice of Peace.

Malik submitted that the allegations levelled by the respondent were incomplete and thus this does not make out a case for rape, as the necessary ingredients to constitute the offence of rape were absolutely missing from the complaint.

The former minister maintained that the IHC failed to consider that the complaint was lodged after a long and inordinate delay after an elapse of more than nine years and how veracity and sanctity can be attached to the same, especially when the same was lodged after the petitioner took suo moto notice of her allegations levelled against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

He said that the matter was also examined by the Superintendent Police (SP) who too found the allegations unsubstantiated and false.

Malik has made Cynthia D. Ritchie, Justice of Peace, Islamabad, SP Complaint, Islamabad, and SHO, Secretariat, Islamabad as respondents in the appeal.

On August 5, an Additional District and Sessions Judge had dismissed a petition of Ritchie seeking registration of a rape case against Senator Malik after a police report termed the complaint "baseless".

According to the police report, Ritchie had neither produced any evidence to corroborate the allegation of rape nor had she placed any material on record to show that she had been harassed.

In her application filed with the Secretariat Police Station on June 17, Ritchie had accused Malik of raping her at his residence in 2011.

She had also alleged that the former interior minister in connivance with former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had employed the Pakistan People’s Party Media Cell to intimidate, threaten, harass and defame her on social media.

The police in response to the court order submitted a report stating that Richie had not filed any complaint with the police station regarding her rape allegations back in 2011 and had maintained that no medical report had been attached with the application as evidence to prove that she had been raped.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/306763-rehman-malik-moves-sc-against-ihc-order-in-cynthia-case
 
ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Interior Rehman Malik has decided not to pursue criminal and civil cases against US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.

“The decision is in good faith and am making it public today,” the Pakistan Peoples Party leader tweeted on Saturday.

The decision came after his exoneration from rape charges levelled against him by Ms Ritchie.

All her allegations were dismissed by the justice of peace (twice), District and Sessions Court, Islamabad, and by police.

As chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, Mr Malik had taken notice of Ms Ritchie’s derogatory remarks against former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the former minister said: “I with (my) humble nature do not claim victory as it is evident that the lady in question, being under pressure from inimical elements, was forced into levelling these insinuations against me.”

Suggests Cynthia levelled rape allegations against him at the behest of ‘influential elements’

“I therefore, in good faith and moreover, because I honour women and their dignity, regardless of this matter, would not like to pursue this matter further as I have every reason/proofs to believe that Cynthia Ritchie must have levelled these bogus allegations at the behest of influential elements having nefarious designs to malign me & the top political leadership of our country, including first elected lady PM Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto,” Mr Malik said.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

“I have decided not to consider for revenge in good faith and I leave this issue to my Allah, to Whom I’m grateful for vindicating my position before my family, friends and PPP leadership and parliament.”

Ms Ritchie had filed an application with Secretariat police station, accusing Mr Malik of raping her at his residence in 2011. Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana had, however, dismissed her petition.

The blogger then moved the Islamabad High Court against the verdict and IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a six-page order, allowing the petition and setting aside the sessions court order.

For his part, Mr Malik had served a defamation notice to the US blogger and had also filed a Rs500 million defamation suit against her. The second defamation notice had been sent for repeating her allegations.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday rejected Mr Malik’s appeal and upheld the Sept 1 directive of IHC about remanding back for review to the justice of peace the matter involving registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in the rape allegations levelled by Ms Ritchie.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam decided to send back the matter to the Justice of Peace after Advocate General for Islamabad Niazullah Khan Niazi supported the high court’s decision.

On Friday, the US blogger posted tweets through her Twitter handle [MENTION=78548]cynthia[/MENTION]DRitchie about the court ruling, expressing satisfaction over the outcome.

“It was a good day in Supreme Court. Now awaiting orders from Additional Sessions Court.”

Soon afterwards, she made another post that said: “It may be mentioned … Rehman Malik’s attempts to file FIR/defamation against me are dismissed.

“We’ll continue our fight, including the @HBLPak case where my banking information was leaked online, and use my platform to help others without a voice.”

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2020



https://www.dawn.com/news/1583166/malik-decides-not-to-pursue-cases-against-us-blogger
 
Ritchie sounds like an interesting character.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How western travel influencers got tangled up in Pakistan's politics. By <a href="https://twitter.com/samirashackle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SamiraShackle</a> <a href="https://t.co/RLVgM46nf9">https://t.co/RLVgM46nf9</a></p>— The Guardian Long Read (@gdnlongread) <a href="https://twitter.com/gdnlongread/status/1326784567097880577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Cythia Ritchie, Rehman Malik withdraw cases against each other

Islamabad High Court (IHC) accepted on Thursday the petitions filed by US Blogger Cynthia D Ritchie and PPP leader Senator Rehman Malik to withdraw their cases against each other.

IHC's Justice Amir Farooq granted both the petitions.

According to Ritchie's lawyer Imran Feroz Malik, she had filed a miscellaneous petition to withdraw the case.

On the other hand, Malik's lawyer also withdrew the petition against Ritchie. The two had approached the court to file cases against each other last year.

Last year in May, in a video broadcast live on Facebook, Ritchie had alleged that a senior PPP leader had raped her while two others had 'manhandled' her on a separate occasion.

She had stated that the incidents occurred in 2011 during the PPP tenure when the individual she accused of rape had been a senior minister.

Ritchie had further alleged that two other senior party leaders — a federal minister and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani (who publicly responded to the allegation) — had "physically manhandled" her when the latter "was staying the President House".

The feud seemed to have begun with Ritchie's "slanderous" remarks on Twitter against late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, but what the blogger claims likely stems from "dirt" she has on the party.

PPP has also filed a complaint with the FIA for Ritchie's tweet and claims Ritchie's accusations against party leaders are in response to that.

Ritchie, in a Geo News interview with "Naya Pakistan" host Shahzad Iqbal claimed a PPP leader provided her information on Benazir Bhutto based on which she had posted the tweet.

She had said that she would prove her allegations against senior PPP leaders in court and would present whatever evidence she had to authorities in Pakistan.
 
3A40785B-2DCD-400C-B7AC-E5AEC1546792.jpg

It seems like this lady is a paid stooge! She refuses to acknowledge persecution of minorities as it would upset her right-wing followers.
 
Bewal Express said:
I don't care what you think, you are a propaganda machine. You lie was caught.
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...ons-of-Christian-girls-in-Pakistan&highlight=
Click to expand...

You are hilarious. The forced conversion story I posted is about Farah Shaheen which is a 100% genuine story. The BBC also covered the story.

Here is the link: https://www.google.com.hk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/stories-56337182.amp

The story which was found out to be false is unconnected to my story. Two totally different cases.

By the way, one false case amongst thousands of genuine cases does not negate the widespread persecution of minorities in Pakistan.
 
ISLAMABAD: American blogger and journalist Cynthia D Ritchie was rushed to a hospital on Thursday after she was found unconscious at her flat.

Police said Ritchie was shifted to the Polyclinic hospital for treatment, with doctors saying that she was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. They said that Ritchie had said she was given an inxtocant.

Hospital sources informed Geo News that her stomach had been washed, adding that the stuff extracted from it had been sent to a laboratory for further tests.

Doctors said they were waiting for the medical report before commenting any further on the matter.

Ritchie had made headlines last year in June when she accused senior PPP leaders, former interior minister Rehman Malik of raping her and had alleged that ex-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani had "physically manhandled" her a couple of years ago.

Both Malik and Gillani had rubbished her allegations and said that it was a plot to malign the PPP.



GEO
 
MenInG said:
ISLAMABAD: American blogger and journalist Cynthia D Ritchie was rushed to a hospital on Thursday after she was found unconscious at her flat.

Police said Ritchie was shifted to the Polyclinic hospital for treatment, with doctors saying that she was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. They said that Ritchie had said she was given an inxtocant.

Hospital sources informed Geo News that her stomach had been washed, adding that the stuff extracted from it had been sent to a laboratory for further tests.

Doctors said they were waiting for the medical report before commenting any further on the matter.

Ritchie had made headlines last year in June when she accused senior PPP leaders, former interior minister Rehman Malik of raping her and had alleged that ex-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani had "physically manhandled" her a couple of years ago.

Both Malik and Gillani had rubbished her allegations and said that it was a plot to malign the PPP.



GEO
Click to expand...

Billo and the PPP weren't happy with the David stories.
 
ISLAMABAD: Senior politician and former interior minister Rehman Malik passed away at the age of 70 on Wednesday morning.

The PPP senator had been hospitalised in Islamabad as he had developed COVID-19-related complications, his spokesperson, Riaz Ahmad Turi, confirmed.

On February 1, PPP Senator Sehar Kamran confirmed on Twitter that Malik's condition had deteriorated because of which he had to be put on a ventilator.
 
Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi rajiun

A very educated person he was, was the interior minister at a time when the army was doing very little against the teorrist.

He single handedly led to pakistan cricket being destroyed but interestingly many pakistani people who pretend to be experts on our politics dont know about this..

However, he is more famous for his work as an FIA director general and played a big role in catching ramzi yousuf. His focus was to eliminate islamic terrorism which angered our isi which was influenced by islamic terrorist back than. The isi and the taliban did not take his work very kindly and a war started between them.

Later on farooq leghari, the namak haram president, would dissolve his own parties govt along with these member of fia. Some were placed with corruption charges that were never even proven.

Sadly he failed as an interior minister but that was only because the isi wasnt on the same page as the govt.

It was only when the aps attack happened that they would care to take action against terrorism.

So long Malik saab, you would be missed. A true fighter against islamic terrorism
 
Major said:
Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi rajiun

A very educated person he was, was the interior minister at a time when the army was doing very little against the teorrist.

He single handedly led to pakistan cricket being destroyed but interestingly many pakistani people who pretend to be experts on our politics dont know about this..

However, he is more famous for his work as an FIA director general and played a big role in catching ramzi yousuf. His focus was to eliminate islamic terrorism which angered our isi which was influenced by islamic terrorist back than. The isi and the taliban did not take his work very kindly and a war started between them.

Later on farooq leghari, the namak haram president, would dissolve his own parties govt along with these member of fia. Some were placed with corruption charges that were never even proven.

Sadly he failed as an interior minister but that was only because the isi wasnt on the same page as the govt.

It was only when the aps attack happened that they would care to take action against terrorism.

So long Malik saab, you would be missed. A true fighter against islamic terrorism
Click to expand...

He was the PPP guy in charge of Benazir's security at the Islamabad Jalsa.
 
I don't want to throw trash at the dead but i find it inexcusable that the guy responsible for Benazir's security at the rally of her assasination was rewarded by being given the interior ministry
 
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