Zubair Qureshi
Additional District & Sessions Judge (ADSJ) of Islamabad on Monday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct inquiry against the US blogger and a promoter of the country’s positive image Cynthia Ritchie about her posts on social media “defaming” ex-PM and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto.
The judge had earlier reserved the ruling after hearing arguments of the counsel for the petitioner Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Islamabad President Shakeel Abbasi.
Cynthia Ritchie has also submitted her reply before the court.
Abbasi in his plea had requested the court to order FIA Cyber Crime Wing to register a case against Ritchie for allegedly defaming former Prime Minister Bhutto.
Cynthia who is at the centre of a controversy by leveling allegations of rape against Rehman Malik and harassment against other PPP leaders including Yousaf Raza Gilani and Makhdoom Shahabuddin has vowed to defend her and expose the ‘molesters’ at all forums including courts of law.
Earlier, Islamabad Police and FIA in their reply to the petition had submitted they couldn’t register a case as for the police the matter was beyond jurisdiction while the FIA pleaded Shakeel Abbasi was not an affected party or member of Benazir’s family to demand case registration against the US national currently living in Pakistan.
Under Pakistan law, a judge can direct police or intelligence agency to register a case.In his ruling on Monday the ADSJ held Cynthia Ritchie in her reply had not denied posting controversial tweets against Benazir Bhutto. Benazir he remarked was a leader of international stature and millions of people identified themselves with her and could move a court as affected party.
