LAHORE (The COW News Digital) The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rejected a petition filed by Pakistan national cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, declaring it non-maintainable. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum dismissed the plea challenging the jurisdiction and notices issued to him by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The legal matter stems from an inquiry launched by the NCCIA following the national team’s tour of England. Both Mohammad Rizwan and fellow cricketer Imam-ul-Haq were recently summoned to the NCCIA office in Lahore, where officials issued them detailed questionnaires seeking personal, financial, travel, and career-related information. While Imam-ul-Haq submitted his responses by the September 15 deadline, Rizwan opted to challenge the agency’s authority through his counsel, Advocate Qazi Umair Ali.
During the hearing, Rizwan was absent while his attorney represented him before the bench. His counsel argued that sports performance naturally involves highs and lows, asserting that the NCCIA possessed no legal jurisdiction to issue summons to national athletes over match outcomes. The advocate stated that although Rizwan had submitted an initial reply through legal representation, the agency rejected it and issued a subsequent notice, prompting the court challenge to nullify the agency’s actions.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum firmly dismissed the arguments, noting that the petitioner had suppressed key facts regarding the proceedings. The Chief Justice remarked that the petitioner ought to face a heavy fine for concealing facts from the court. Directing the cricketer to respond directly to the agency’s show-cause notice and appear before the investigating authorities, the court ruled the petition inadmissible and formally closed the matter.
