LAHORE: On Thursday, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Alia Neelum, refused to entertain a petition filed by cricketer Mohammad Rizwan, who is contesting a probe initiated by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Rizwan’s attorney, Qazi Umair Ali, represented him in court and argued that the NCCIA had improperly summoned the player via a notice dated September 8. Following this notice, both Rizwan and fellow cricketer Imamul Haq complied and appeared before the NCCIA on September 10. However, Rizwan subsequently sought to challenge the inquiry and the notice through the Lahore High Court.
Despite the petition’s submission, Justice Neelum declined to hear the case and advised Rizwan’s lawyer to first provide a written response to the NCCIA’s notice. “Simply respond to the notice,” she stated, opting not to proceed with the petition at this time.
After the court session, Rizwan’s lawyer informed the media that a response had already been submitted to the agency. In his challenge, Rizwan criticized the NCCIA’s notice, which he claims initiated an inquiry regarding allegations of online betting or gambling associated with Pakistan cricket.
Legal Arguments and Concerns Raised
Rizwan’s petition alleges that the notice was vague, arbitrary, and issued without proper legal authority. He contends that online betting does not constitute a scheduled offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 or its amendments in 2025, thus branding the inquiry as a “fishing and roving expedition” aimed at damaging his reputation.
Additionally, Rizwan expressed concerns about potential “coercive” actions, including the risk of his arrest or detention, prompting him to request the court to nullify the notice, dismiss the inquiry, and prevent authorities from taking any detrimental actions against him.
Background of the NCCIA Inquiry
The NCCIA’s investigation was initiated following a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Mohsin Naqvi, during the recent Test series against England, which ended unfavorably for Pakistan with a 3-0 loss. Reports indicated that the inquiry was focused on alleged leaks from the dressing room during this series.
On September 7, while the series was ongoing, the PCB announced that it had begun an internal disciplinary inquiry in response to media reports concerning player discipline and conduct, which are currently under internal review.
Moreover, on September 11, Rizwan and Imamul Haq were suspended from participating in the President’s Trophy Grade-I domestic first-class tournament. They were also among seven players recalled after Pakistan’s defeats in the first two Tests, which led to an unassailable lead for England in the three-match series.
