Jibran Nasir urges IHC to end ‘illegal’ detention of Matiullah Jan

Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir called on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to declare the arrest of senior journalist Matiullah Jan illegal as lawyer, Imaan Mazari, filed a criminal revision petition, requesting it be heard today (Friday).

Jibran Nasir took to X, emphasising the urgency of the matter and describing it as a test for the judiciary to assert its presence “or be passive and let the establishment reduce the criminal justice system to a circus.”

He further added, “This case alone will not ensure rule of law in the country but the manner this case has been instituted has made it a litmus test that there is still some fight left in the judiciary or not..”

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) today (Thursday).

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).