PPP becomes party in Cynthia Ritchie case
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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Tuesday moved Islamabad High Court pleading to become a party in the case against American blogger Cynthia Ritchie, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Accepting the application, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a notice to PPP leader Chaudhry Iftikhar and sought a reply.
The PPP in its application prayed to the court that as per international and national laws Cynthia Ritchie cannot stay in Pakistan without a visa. They are an affected party in the case not to expel Cynthia Ritchie from the country, the PPP added.
The party also claimed in its plea that Cynthia Ritchie hid facts about the case.
In early September, the interior ministry had admitted that the visas issued to Cynthia in 2018 and 2019 were in violation of the policy.
In a report submitted before the Islamabad High Court in the Cynthia Ritchie case, it was stated that the US blogger applied for an extension in her stay under the work visa category but she was issued an extension under the business visa category in violation of the policy.
It said the supporting documents qualifying as legal requirements for issuance of extension under the business visa category were not met because her applications on both occasions were for extension in her stay in Pakistan under the work visa category.
The ministry also noted that the US national should be stopped from making controversial statements that went against the basic rights of citizens.