LHC rejects cricketer Muhammad Rizwan’s plea against NCCIA
The Lahore High Court on Thursday threw out the petition filed by former Pakistan cricket team skipper Muhammad Rizwan against the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), saying it was inadmissible for the hearing, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
LHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Aalia Neelum remarked that the petitioner’s counsel had failed to give satisfactory answers to the court’s questions.
Addressing the lawyer, the CJ asked, “Why should not the court fine you?
She said that heavy fine should be imposed on him for concealing the facts. “You better appear before the NCCIA and reply to the show-cause notice issued to your client,” she said, adding, “Go and present your opinion there.”
Justice Neelum asked the counsel whether the cricketer had received the notice from the NCCIA.
“Yes, my client had been summoned on September 10,” he replied.
The judge then asked whether Rizwan had appeared before the Agency on that date.
“He did appear. But now we have again been summoned,” the lawyer replied.
The chief justice asked him to appear before the NCCIA and present the former skipper’s stance there.
A week ago, the NCCIA had questioned former Pakistan Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for about two hours against the backdrop of dressing-room leaks.
The two cricketers appeared before the NCCIA at its Johar Town office in Lahore at 3pm.
They were also asked about their contacts and meetings during practice sessions and matches in England.
The duo sought more time to submit further responses to the NCCIA.
34-year-old Rizwan, who hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is among the seven cricketers who were suddenly dropped from the Pakistan squad on an emergency basis following the team’s defeat in the Lord’s Test.
He travelled from London to Islamabad after being dropped from the squad.
Rizwan, who has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 103 ODIs and 106 T20Is, reportedly contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) before appearing before the NCCIA at its Lahore office.
He subsequently appeared before the agency.
Reporter: Malik Ashraf