Physical remand of journalist Matiullah Jan suspended in terrorism case
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended the two-day physical remand of senior journalist Matiullah Jan by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
Matiullah Jan was sent on physical remand in a case registered at Islamabad’s Margalla police station, which includes anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism provisions. The FIR was registered on the complaint of Superintendent of Police Asif Ali.
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed by human rights lawyer Iman Zainab Mazari. President IHC Bar Association State Ali Azad and his lawyers Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatta appeared in the court.
Advocate State Ali Azad, referring to the FIR, argued that the case is baseless and fabricated, as there is no mention of the sale and purchase of the narcotic methamphetamine (crystal meth) in the FIR.
The court accepted the plea and ordered to keep the journalist in judicial custody. The Islamabad High Court further suspended the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Court and adjourned the hearing of the case till Monday.
The First Information Report (FIR) stated that Matiullah in his white Toyota Yaris intentionally injured police constable Mudassar when he was directed to stop at a check post on Margalla Road in E-9 sector.
It added that the journalist was intoxicated at the time, while police recovered 246 grams of the drug methamphetamine (crystal meth) from his car. According to her family, the case was registered at 3:20 am, almost an hour after her alleged abduction.
Sections 279 (driving or riding at high speed on public road), 353 (assault or criminal force to prevent a public servant from discharging his duty), 382 (death, injury or preventing the commission of the same) were cited in the case. theft after manufacture) are included. theft), 427 (malicious loss of fifty rupees), 506 (criminal intimidation) with 7ATA (section relating to terrorism) and a section relating to drugs of the Penal Code., 1898.
