Rehman Malik not to pursue cases against US blogger

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister and chairman of Senate Standing Commitee on Interior Rehman Malik has decided not to pursue criminal and civil cases against US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.

“The decision is in good faith,” the Pakistan Peoples Party leader tweeted.

The decision came ater his exoneration from rape charges levelled against him by Ms Ritchie.

All her allegations were dismissed by the justice of peace (twice), District and Sessions Court, Islamabad, and by police.

As chairman of the Senate Standing Commitee on Interior, Malik had taken notice of Ms Ritchie’s derogatory remarks against former prime minister Benazir Bhuto.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the former minister said: “I with (my) humble nature do not claim victory as it is evident that the lady in question, being under pressure from inimical elements, was forced into levelling these insinuations against me.

“I therefore, in good faith and moreover, because I honour women and their dignity, regardless of this mater, would not like to pursue this mater further as I have every reason/ proofs to believe that Cynthia Ritchie must have levelled these bogus allegations at the behest of influential elements having nefarious designs to malign me & the top political leadership of our country, including first elected lady Benazir Bhuto,” Malik said.

“I have decided not to consider revenge in good faith and I leave this issue to my Allah, to Whom I’m grateful for vindicating my position before my family, friends and PPP leadership and parliament.”

Ritchie had filed an application with Islamabad police, accusing Malik of raping her at his residence in 2011.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana had, however, dismissed her petition.

The blogger then moved the Islamabad High Court against the verdict and IHC’S Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued a six-page order, allowing the petition and seting aside the sessions court order.