An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has issued a notice to police in a case filed against senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who faces charges of terrorism, narcotics possession and assaulting law enforcement personnel.
The case was registered on 28 November last year at Margalla Police Station, alleging that the journalist snatched official weapons from police, rammed his vehicle into a police checkpoint, and was found in possession of drugs.
The legal proceedings against Jan have triggered strong criticism from journalist bodies and human rights organisations, who allege that he is being targeted for his reporting on the deaths that occurred during law enforcement action against PTI protesters last November.
At the start of Friday’s hearing, Jan’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, submitted the power of attorney on his behalf and argued that the journalist was being portrayed as a “terrorist” in the case.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra remarked that the police version of the case must also be heard. The court issued a notice to the police for 8 November, seeking their response to Jan’s request for the provision of the complete case record.
The hearing was adjourned until that date.
