IHC extends US blogger’s stay in country until Oct 13

Also extends order restraining Cynthia from giving political statements

ISLAMABAD:

 The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday extended its order to stop the deportation of US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie until October 13.

 The court also extended its order to restrain the American blogger from making political statements and asked her to submit an affidavit as per its earlier directives.

 During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that the interior ministry should investigate the case saying that the US blogger had hurled allegations of serious nature.

 He asked if the government was not interested in carrying out the investigation of the case.

 Deputy Attorney General Syed Tayyab Shah told the court that Cynthia had filed an appeal against the rejection in extension of her visa, which was being heard by the interior secretary.

 The court inquired about the policy of interior ministry regarding the business visa.

 The ministry’ representative replied that a letter from the Chicago Chamber of Commerce was mandatory for the business visa, which the US blogger had provided.

 He further said that Cynthia had also submitted the letter of a company which had sponsored her in Pakistan.

 The IHC CJ asked whether the people were allowed to perform any activity in the country after acquiring business visa and inquired what action the interior ministry took in that case.

 “How may visas of this nature has the interior ministry rejected until now,” he questioned.

 The ministry of interior representative said that he did not have the updated details and added that this was the first case of its nature which had come to the fore containing political statements.

 Cynthia’s counsel Imran Feroz told the IHC that two hearings had been held in the lower court but no one had appeared from Rehman Malik’s side.

 The court disposed of PPP’s application regarding the deportation of US blogger.

 The deputy attorney general said that an order had been issued on the PPP’s plea and that it had become ineffective.

 The PPP’s lawyer urged the court to keep their application pending and added that they had also requested the court to restrain Cynthia from giving statements.

 The court adjourned the hearing of the case until October 13.