On December 19, senior journalist Matiullah Jan filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court challenging a trial court decision that upheld drug charges against him in an ongoing drug and terrorism case.
The appeal was submitted through Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, contesting the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) order that declined to remove drug-related sections from the case. The petition requests that the ATC ruling be set aside and that the drug charges be withdrawn. In his filing, Jan stated that no video or CCTV evidence exists to substantiate the alleged drug seizure, noting that higher courts have held that video evidence is necessary in cases concerning drug recovery.
Two days before the appeal, the ATC had rejected Jan’s request to drop the drug charges. The same ruling is now being challenged before the IHC.
Earlier, on December 17, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra reserved the verdict in the case after hearing arguments from both sides. During the proceedings, Barrister Ashfaq had sought the removal of drug charges, while the public prosecutor opposed the plea.
The case stems from an incident on November 26, 2024, when police attempted to arrest Jan in Islamabad’s Sector E-9. He is accused of resisting arrest, ramming his vehicle into a police checkpoint, and snatching an official weapon. The FIR, dated November 28, 2024, includes Section 9(2)4 of the Anti-Narcotics Control Act, alleging possession of 246 grams of crystal meth (ICE), and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Following the incident, Jan was initially placed on physical remand. The Islamabad High Court later overturned that decision and ordered judicial remand.
