ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained the trial court from indicting senior journalist Matiullah Jan in a case registered by the I-9 Police Station until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) announced its decision.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Musarrat Hilali, accepted the appeal of Matiullah Jan against the case, which included charges of narcotics recovery, interference in official duties, snatching of government weapons, threats of serious consequences and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The apex court also directed the IHC to fix an early hearing of Matiullah Jan’s petition seeking removal of the anti-terrorism charge and to decide the matter.
During the hearing, the deputy prosecutor appeared and submitted that if the court directed the IHC to decide Matiullah Jan’s petition at an early date, the government would have no objection.
Justice Mazhar remarked that until the high court gives its decision, the trial court will not frame charges against the accused.
