Mattiullah Jan case: SC seeks report on new challan filed in trial court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court sought a report on a new challan, filed in the trial court, regarding terrorism charges against senior journalist Mattiullah Jan.

A three-member full bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, on Wednesday heard Mattiullah’s petition to drop terrorism charges against him. The bench issued a notice to the prosecution.

The counsel, appearing on behalf of Mattiullah Jan, informed the court that the challan of terrorism charges had been submitted by the prosecution before the Terrorism Court, Islamabad. He contended that the case was lodged against Mattiullah for covering the protest of a political party, adding that the trial court will frame charges against his client today (Thursday). He prayed that the proceedings at the trial court be suspended.

Justice Naeem responded that charges can be overruled even if they are framed, adding that this is not a serious issue. Justice Hilali stated that there is no bail in a drug case. Upon that, Mattiullah’s lawyer informed that according to the forensic report, the drug was not recovered from Mattiullah.

Justice Naeem questioned why the High Court has not fixed the case again. The lawyer informed that the Islamabad High Court last heard the case on February 23, and thereafter it is not fixed.

Justice Hilali inquired from Matiullah whether he had an objection on the bench. The petitioner responded that he has full faith in the bench.

The journalist has prayed the apex court to direct the IHC to decide the matter pending before it, and in the meantime, trial court proceedings should remain suspended. He informed the Court that the High Court fixed April 21 as the next date for hearing of the appeal, whether the accused could be charged of terrorism for the alleged scuffles with police, an incident which Matiullah Jan even otherwise described as concocted and fake.

Similarly, he submitted that the trial court fixed April 2 for further proceedings after the prosecution withdrew charges of drug smuggling based on a negative laboratory report of the drug sample allegedly recovered from the accused. Now only the terrorism charges remain in the trial court, he added.

The case is adjourned until today (Thursday).

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026