IHC suspends Matiullah Jan's physical remand in narcotics, terrorism case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) decision to grant a two-day physical remand of senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who was abducted outside PIMS Hospital before being arrested in a narcotics and terrorism case.

The hearing took place on the petition filed by Advocate Imaan Mazari before a bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir. During the proceedings, the ATC’s order was read out at the court’s instruction.

President of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Riyat Ali Azad, along with Matiullah Jan’s legal team, including Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, appeared in court.

Advocate Riyat Ali Azad read out the FIR, highlighting that it lacked any mention of drug dealing.

He emphasised that the allegations were baseless as an affidavit was also submitted by journalist Saqib Bashir as evidence of the case’s fabrication.

The court removed objections to the petition and suspended the ATC’s remand order.

Advocate Imaan Mazari argued that the case against Matiullah Jan was false and fabricated. She reiterated that the journalist was being targeted through a politically motivated FIR.

International human rights and journalism organisations strongly condemned Matiullah Jan’s alleged abduction and the FIR, labeling the case as "ridiculous" and based on fabricated claims.

Matiullah Jan’s lawyer, Imaan Mazari, explained that she filed the criminal revision in the IHC to challenge the two-day physical remand of the journalist, which was granted by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday.

Mazari also requested the court to hear the criminal revision today, arguing that any delay would render the plea infructuous. She expressed hope that the court would approve their request and hold the hearing promptly.

Journalist Matiullah Jan, who was arrested by Islamabad Police just hours after his disappearance from outside PIMS Hospital, was presented in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on November 28.

Authorities have charged him under multiple sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and the Control of Narcotic Substances Act.

Speaking to reporters during his court appearance, Jan dismissed the allegations, stating, “I am not afraid. Everyone knows I don’t even smoke a cigarette.”

When asked why he was detained if the charges were baseless, he responded, “Because I was reporting about the dead bodies.”

Matiullah Jan’s son took to X to report about the “abduction” of his father from the parking of PIM hospital at 11 pm by unidentified individuals. 

Defense lawyer Hadi Ali requested the court to reject the 30-day physical remand sought by Prosecutor Raja Naveed. Additionally, journalist Saqib Bashir submitted an affidavit denying allegations of drug consumption.

The prosecutor argued that the court must determine how the drugs were allegedly found in Matiullah Jan’s possession.

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra reserved the decision on Jan’s remand while allowing him to meet his family after the hearing.

An FIR was lodged against Matiullah Jan at Margalla Police Station, accusing him of running over Constable Mudassir at the E-9 checkpoint in Islamabad while allegedly under the influence.

The charges in the FIR include rash driving, assault on a police officer, possession of narcotics, theft, and other offenses under Sections 279, 353, 382, 427, and 506 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).