On February 19, a forensic report submitted in Islamabad High Court (IHC) which stated that the substance allegedly found in possession of senior journalist Matiullah Jan was not a prohibited drug. This finding brings a twist to the narcotics and terrorism case lodged against him.
The case was initially registered at Margalla Police Station on November 28, 2024, implicating Jan in acts of violence at a police barrier and possession of narcotics. The charges had prompted severe backlash from journalism advocates and human rights organizations, who argued that Jan was being unfairly targeted due to his investigative work on alleged fatalities linked to law enforcement actions against PTI protesters that month.
A division bench consisting of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas presided over the packed courtroom session. The Islamabad police disclosed the Punjab Forensic Science Agency’s lab report during the proceedings, which explicitly stated that the sample taken from Jan did not contain methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ice”.
The courtroom atmosphere was charged with the presence of legal experts, political activists, and journalists who showed their support for Jan. A notable moment occurred when Justice Tahir acknowledged the presence of former senator Farhatullah Babar, who expressed his solidarity with the accused journalist.
During the hearing, Advocate Rai Hanif Rahi and journalist Saqib Bashir voiced concerns about the aggressive manner in which the case had been handled, likening it to a drug dealing charge. The bench, upon reviewing the forensic evidence, deliberated on the sustainability of the narcotics charges in absence of an illegal substance.
The judges concluded that an appropriate directive would be issued and the matter referred back to the trial court for additional proceedings.
Following the court session, Matiullah Jan turned to the social media platform X to announce that the allegations of narcotics smuggling against him had been debunked. He detailed that the forensic report discussed in court confirmed the absence of illegal drugs and highlighted the bench’s query to the prosecution about the feasibility of continuing the narcotics charges against him.
Jan also took the opportunity to express his gratitude towards his legal team and supporters from both governmental and non-governmental sectors who stood by him throughout the ordeal.
This court decision marks a pivotal moment in the case, redirecting the focus back to the trial court which will reconsider the proceedings based on the new forensic evidence.
