Court directs FIA to register case against Cynthia Ritchie.

ISLAMABAD -- Additional District and Sessions Judge (ASJ) Jahangir Awan on Monday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against US blogger Cynthia Ritchie who has leveled harassment allegations against the PPP leadership.

The petitioner, PPP Islamabad President Shakeel Ahmed Abbasi Advocate on Saturday had filed a petition stating that Ritchie had made baseless allegations against ex-prime minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and a case should be registered against her.

In its two-page verdict, the court said the US blogger had not denied making the post on social media.

'According to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), a crime has been committed. The FIA needs to conduct the investigation and inquiry according to the law,' the order said.

It added, 'If there is enough evidence after the inquiry, first information report (FIR) should be registered.'

'Defaming someone after 12 years is based on dishonesty. Benazir Bhutto was the leader of thousands and her followers can be treated as those affected by the tweets,' it added.

A separate application was also filed against Ritchie in the Islamabad sessions court. Hearing this plea, filed by Islamabad resident Nadeem Mughal, the sessions court ordered the FIA to submit a reply. Judge Awan observed that the court would proceed in accordance with the reply submitted by the FIA...