LAHORE — The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by cricketer Mohammad Rizwan challenging proceedings initiated by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), directing him to respond to the agency’s show-cause notice.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, while dismissing the petition, observed that the petitioner should be fined for concealing facts. She instructed Rizwan to submit his response to the show-cause notice and appear before the agency.
Court Cites Concealment of Facts
Rizwan had approached the high court to challenge the NCCIA’s notices, arguing that the agency had issued them without lawful justification and seeking a declaration that the proceedings were void.
The cricketer did not appear before the court during the hearing. Chief Justice Neelum remarked that Rizwan should answer the show-cause notice and that a heavy fine ought to be imposed for concealing facts from the court.
Counsel Argues Performances Are Part of Sport
Appearing on Rizwan’s behalf, lawyer Umair Qazi contended that good and poor performances are a natural part of sport and maintained that the NCCIA had issued unlawful summons.
The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that Rizwan had appeared through his lawyer and submitted a response to the allegations. According to the counsel, the NCCIA rejected that response and issued fresh summons to the cricketer.
Earlier Questioning in Lahore
Recent reporting confirms that Rizwan was questioned by the NCCIA in Lahore earlier this month, although the specific reason for the questioning had not been publicly disclosed at that time.
The ruling leaves the cricketer obligated to engage directly with the agency’s proceedings rather than through a constitutional challenge before the high court.
