Cynthia de Richie: Islamabad High Court restrains US citizen

 Cynthia de Richie: Islamabad High Court restrains US citizen Cynthia Richie from making statements against politicians

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred US citizen Cynthia de Richie from making statements against Pakistani political figures and sought clarification from the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs on business visa policy.

On Tuesday, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah began hearing a petition seeking the deportation of American blogger Cynthia Richie. She has not been associated with any government agency in Pakistan.

 According to BBC correspondent Azam Khan, the Chief Justice then asked the public prosecutor what he was saying. Earlier, the court was told that the American blogger was working on projects in Pakistan with the Army Public Relations Department, ISPR and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government.

 The court expressed frustration that no clear statement was issued by the Interior Ministry.

The Chief Justice asked the public prosecutor what is the policy in this regard? Can anyone from abroad do anything here? If Cynthia also makes statements against the present government, will this be the policy?

When the Home Ministry representative presented an order in this regard before the court, the Chief Justice said, "What order have you issued?" Is there no law or policy?

 Chief Justice Athar Minallah said, "Do you have any document to explain what is Pakistan's visa policy for foreigners?" If someone else comes on a business visa tomorrow and makes statements against the Prime Minister, will he also be released?

The court adjourned the case till September 22.

 It should be noted that the request for deportation of American citizen Cynthia Richie has been filed by Iftikhar Ahmed, a local leader of the former ruling Pakistan People's Party.

 The petition said the US citizen's visa in Pakistan had not only expired but he was also involved in activities that were against the country.

 During the hearing, the Additional Attorney General also presented the statement of the Interior Ministry regarding the stay of Cynthia de Richie in Pakistan on the order of the court.

What happened earlier in this case?

 Last month, the Interior Ministry informed the Islamabad High Court that Cynthia de Richie, a US citizen, was not involved in any activity that was illegal or against the law of the land.

 The Home Ministry also told the court that Cynthia Richie had all the legal documents required to stay in Pakistan and that her visa was valid until August 31.

 Talking to media after the last hearing, Sardar Latif Khosa, counsel for the petitioner, had said that he would challenge the report of the Home Ministry in the court which said that the stay of American blogger in Pakistan is not illegal.

 He said he would prove in his arguments that the visa extension granted to Cynthia Richie was not only illegal but that she was involved in illegal activities in Pakistan.

He alleged that the Home Secretary was not acting in accordance with the law.

FIA ordered to investigate

 It may be recalled that last month, Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Athar Minallah had rejected a petition filed by Cynthia de Richie, a US citizen, and directed the FIA ​​to continue its probe against her.

 Islamabad Additional Sessions Judge Jahangir Awan had directed the FIA ​​to investigate Cynthia Richie on a petition filed by Shakeel Abbasi, district president of the former ruling Pakistan People's Party.

 The petitioner had sought registration of a case against Cynthia Richie for tweeting 'naziba' against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and hurting the petitioner's feelings.

 Cynthia Richie had filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court against the Sessions Court's decision and to stay the FIA ​​investigation, which was rejected on June 22. 

During the hearing of the petition in the Islamabad High Court on the same day, the counsel for the petitioner Cynthia de Richie referred to the order issued by the lower court.  The IA has been ordered to investigate.

 In his judgment, the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court said that the FIA ​​has full authority to conduct an inquiry. "The FIA ​​is expected to act without being affected by any observation," he said.

 Earlier, Islamabad Police had also rejected a request by Cynthia de Richie to register a case against former Home Minister Rehman Malik.

 Police say the petitioner did not provide any evidence of allegations of sexual harassment and harassment against the former interior minister.