'Imran Riaz Khan cannot be charged under cybercrime law'

RAWALPINDI: Special judicial magistrate Rawalpindi on Wednesday quashed cybercrime charges leveled by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against journalist Imran Riaz Khan, ARY News reported.

Riaz was brought before the court of Rawalpindi’s special judicial magistrate on the orders of the judicial magistrate Attock.

The special magistrate remarked Imran Riaz Khan cannot be charged under cybercrime law. The charges leveled under PECA Ordinance are being quashed, he remarked.

Later, Rawalpindi’s special judicial magistrate ordered to transfer Imran Riaz Khan to Attock and present him before the judicial magistrate tonight.

Earlier in the day, the court of district and judicial magistrate Attock handed over journalist Imran Riaz Khan to Rawalpindi police.

Announcing the reserved judgment, magistrate Yasir Tanvir said he cannot hear the case as it has beyond his jurisdiction. After the judgment of the magistrate, Attock police left for Rawalpindi with the journalist.

Earlier, Islamabad High Court (IHC) had wrapped up a plea seeking the recovery of journalist Imran Riaz Khan, who was arrested from the Islamabad toll plaza, despite court orders against his arrest.

During contempt of court proceedings at the IHC, Chief Justice of the high court Athar Minallah was told by Riaz’s counsel that his client was arrested within the limits of Islamabad.

“The IG Punjab, IG Islamabad, and deputy commissioner Islamabad are guilty of contempt of court,” the petitioner said and demanded the immediate release of his client.

CJ IHC Athar Minallah had directed the applicant to approach Lahore High Court and get clarity on the jurisdiction. “It is now up to the Lahore High Court to decide if the arrest was made in a legal manner or not,” he said while disposing off the plea.