Court asks FIA to proceed against Cynthia.

Byline: Malik Asad

ISLAMABAD -- An additional district and sessions judge of Islamabad on MonAday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to proceed against US blogger Cynthia D. Ritchie for allegedly defaming former prime minister of Pakistan and slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

Judge Mohammad JahaAngir Awan had reserved the decision on the petition filed by Islamabad president of the Pakistan Peoples Party Raja Shakeel Abbasi seeking registration of a criminal case against Ms Ritchie.

The judge in his order obsAerved: 'There is no denAial from proposed accused [Ritchie] that she created this tweet on social media. Hence, a crime has been committed falling under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act [PECA] 2016 and FIA is competent to investigate the matter in accordance with the law. Under the circumstances, the application is hereby accepted and FIA is directed to proceed in accordance with law, conduct an inquiry and if there is sufficient material, register an FIR.'

Following the court decision, Ms Ritchie held her lawyer Nasir Azim Khan responsible for such an 'adverse' order as she tweeted: 'I just came to know @NasirKhaannn misrepresented me in court. I NEVER said my tweets were fake. We were supposed to file criminal report today against Rehman Malik. Now, suddenly Mr Khan is demanding 20 lakh rupees from me - even though this matter was managed by a 3rd party.'

The petitioner earlier informed the court that Ms Ritchie had 'passed extreAmely derogatory remarks' against Ms Bhutto, but the FIA did not entertain his application for registration of an FIR against the American blogger.

The Pakistan TelecommuAnication Authority (PTA) took the stance before Judge Awan that it...