LHC restrains cyber agency from harassing Rizwan

The Lahore High Court on Monday issued a written order from a September 17 hearing in which it dismissed cricketer Mohammad Rizwan's petition against a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency inquiry, but restrained the agency from causing any harassment to the wicketkeeper-batsman and directed him to join and cooperate in the proceedings.

According to Dawn, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum's order said the petition had been dismissed. Rizwan had challenged both the NCCIA inquiry and a call-up notice issued to him. The written instructions were part of that order and became public on Monday.

The Nation reported that the scrutiny concerns alleged betting links, though its available report did not provide further detail about the allegations. NDTV Sports said Rizwan had been barred from speaking in public, describing it as another twist in the Pakistan cricket cyber crime investigation; the precise legal basis and scope of that restriction were not immediately clear from the available reports.

ProPakistani also reported that the Lahore High Court allowed the NCCIA inquiry against Rizwan, consistent with the dismissal of his petition. The court therefore left the investigation in place but set a boundary against harassment, while requiring Rizwan's cooperation.

The dismissal means Rizwan's challenge to the call-up notice failed, but the court's harassment bar places conditions on how the agency proceeds. The reports did not say when the inquiry began or what specific cyber offences are being examined.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency functions under the Ministry of Interior and investigates cyber offences. The case has drawn attention because Rizwan is a prominent member of Pakistan's national cricket team. No statement from Rizwan or the Pakistan Cricket Board was immediately available in the reports.