An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has reserved its verdict in the drugs and terrorism case against senior journalist Matiullah Jan after hearing arguments from both sides.
The case was heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who reserved the decision following the completion of arguments by the prosecution and the defence.
During the hearing, defence counsel Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq requested the court to drop the drug-related charges against Matiullah Jan. However, the government prosecutor opposed the plea and argued against the removal of the narcotics charges.
According to the case record, police attempted to arrest Matiullah Jan on the night of November 26, 2024, in Islamabad’s Sector E-9. Police allege that he resisted arrest, rammed his vehicle into a police checkpoint, and snatched official weapons during the incident.
The First Information Report (FIR) includes Section 9(2)(c) of the Control of Narcotics Substances Act (CNSA), accusing him of possessing 100 to 500 grams of crystal meth (ice). Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) has also been applied.
Initially, Matiullah Jan was handed over to police on physical remand. However, the Islamabad High Court later set aside the physical remand order and sent him to judicial custody. Subsequently, his lawyers, Iman Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali, secured his post-arrest bail.
