The Cynthia D. Ritchie controversy has taken a whole new turn as the Ministry of Interior has modified their stance on the international blogger. The Government of Pakistan seems to be distancing itself from the American travel blogger.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has now told Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the documentary filmmaker was not associated with any government institution in Pakistan. The IHC then asked the Interior Ministry for its business visa policy in the hearing scheduled for September 22nd.
Previously the Government of Pakistan had stated that Cynthia D. Ritchie was ‘serving a government institution in Pakistan‘. However with a formal case seeking the deportation of the travel blogger the Interior Ministry has readjusted its stance.
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According to The News, Additional Attorney General informed IHC that;
“Cynthia D. Ritchie had stated before the ministry that she was not associated with any government institution of the country.”
Regarding this new information, Chief Justice Athar Minallah noted that previously the Interior Ministry’s stance was that the social media influencer was serving some government institution in Pakistan. Justice Athar Minallah pointed out that the Interior Ministry had not adopted a clear stance on the matter.
The Court then proceeded to inquire if the Interior Ministry had passed and orders or documentation in this regard. The Chief Justice asked for the formal visa policy for foreigners.
“Is there any law or policy?”
The Court asked if all people in Pakistan on a business visa are treated in this manner, saying;
“If tomorrow someone came on a business visa and gave a statement against the prime minister, would they be would be treated in the same way.”
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As for the First Information Report (FIR) against Cynthia, IHC referred the matter to the lower court to decide on the registration of after hearing the case again.
IHC also prohibited Cynthia D. Ritchie from giving controversial statements against politicians. The travel blogger obliged and assured the court that she won’t.
