ISALAMABAD A district and session judge in Islamabad has sought final arguments from accused PPP top leaders including former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, former Interior minister Rahman Malik and former Health minister Mukhdoom Shahbuddin in American blogger and social worker Synthia Dawn Ritchie ‘s case , seeking registration of case against the accused for sexually assaulting and harassing her. The court has fixed next hearing into the case for August 5 and directed the lawyers of accused to submit final argument on next hearing. During Saturday’s hearing the counsel for former Interior minister, Rahman Malik told the court that a case for deportation of American blogger was pending before the Islamabad High Court. He requested the court to fix the hearing after August 3.
District and session judge. Muhammad Jahangir Awan is hearing the case.
Synthia’s lawyer , Imran Feroze argued before the court that the lawyer of former Interior minister, Rahman Malik , was intentionally delaying the proceedings of the court by using different tactics . He requested that rhe court may please direct him to give final arguments. The lawyer of Dyed Yousaf Raza sought time for submission of power of attorney on behalf of his client. The court accepted the request and granted him permission for the submission of power of attorney on next hearing. American blogger was also present in the court during Saturday’s hearing. Synthia D Ritchie , who is in Pakistan since 2011, had recently accused Rehan Malik of raping her in 2011at his minister’s colony house in Islamabad and sought registeration of the case against former Interior minister and other accused. She also accused Yousaf Raza Gillani and Mukhdoom Shahabuddin of sexual harassment at Presidency during the same year. After going public a couple of months ago, American blogger is seeking registration of the case against these powerful Pakistani political elite. She is presently facing risk from these political elite to make her either mum or leave Pakistan without taking the case to final conclusion.
