Rehman Malik moves IHC for stay on hearing of Ritchie’s plea

Additional sessions judge to take up US blogger’s plea today

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday to stop hearing of the petition of American blogger Cynthia D Ritchie for registration of a case against him by the additional district and sessions judge.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani would take up the petition of Ritchie for registration of a case against Malik on Saturday (today) following the IHC ordered that the petition be decided within three weeks.

Ritchie had filed the application against Malik on rape charges. Last month, the sessions court had rejected Ritchie’s petition for registration of the case. However, the IHC quashed the decision and ordered that her application be considered as pending.

On Friday, Senator Malik approached the IHC, seeking stay on the hearing of her application in the lower court. Chief Justice Athar Minallah directed for fixing the petition for hearing on Monday.

Malik said in his petition that the additional sessions judge had fixed Ritchie’s plea for hearing on Saturday (today) on the IHC order. He added that Ritchie hid the facts in the high court to get the ruling in her favour.

Rehman Malik’s had also filed a separate petition in the Supreme Court against Ritchie. On Friday, Ritchie’s lawyer Saiful Muluk filed his power of attorney in the apex court to represent her. Speaking to reporters, he said that he was now waiting for the hearing of the case.

Speaking on the occasion, Ritchie said that she had evidence against Rehman Malik. She added that she had lodged a complaint with the US embassy on the day of the incident. She said that American FBI was also informed about Malik.

Responding to a question, Ritchie said that she had not worked with any Pakistani organisation, including the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). About the motorway gang rape incident, she said the law-enforcement agencies must ensure women’s safety.