Islamabad ATC overrules Matiullah Jan’s jurisdiction challenge

A special anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday dismissed another application filed by senior journalist Matiullah Jan and decided to frame terrorism charges against him. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra conducted the hearing of terrorism and narcotics cases registered against Jan. After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge said, “The court has considered the submissions of the prosecution and the defence. Charges will be formally framed against the accused tomorrow.” Jan’s application challenging the framing of charges in the same narcotics case, despite the absence of video evidence of drug recovery, was scheduled for a hearing in the Islamabad High Court. In the previous two hearings, the high court had granted the prosecution additional time to submit forensic reports, but the police failed to do so. Read: Matiullah Jan's physical remand suspended in narcotics case After Wednesday’s hearing, Jan also posted on the social media platform X that the government is pursuing a fake case, which he described as an open attack on journalists and press freedom. He said, “I was abducted from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on November 27, along with journalist Saqib Basheer, while reporting on deaths and injuries from firing at a PTI protest. A false FIR was subsequently lodged against me.” انسدادِ دھشت گردی کی خصوصی عدالت کے جج طاہر عباس سپرا نے میرے خلاف دھشت گردی اور منشیات کے کیس میں دھشت گردی کے الزامات پر دائرہ اختیار کی درخواست مسترد کرتے ہوئے کل بروز جمعرات کو فردِ جرم عائد کرنے کا حکم سنایا ہے۔ حکومت اس جعلی کیس کو آگے لیکر چل رہی ہے جو کھلم کھلا صحافیوں… — Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) February 18, 2026 Judge Tahir Abbas Supra reserved the verdict after hearing all arguments, dismissed the application challenging the court’s jurisdiction and confirmed that the case is now set for the formal framing of charges against Jan. “Charges will be framed against Matiullah Jan on the following day,” the court announced. The court also adjourned further proceedings until February 19. Background The Federal Capital Police registered a case against Jan, alleging his involvement in terrorism and narcotics possession following an incident at a checkpost in Islamabad. According to the FIR filed by Superintendent of Police Asif Ali at Margalla Police Station, Jan was stopped at the E-9 checkpost while driving a white Toyota Yaris towards F-10. The FIR claims the vehicle rammed police personnel, injuring Constable Mudassir. When the vehicle stopped due to a barrier, Jan allegedly exited the car, assaulted the constable, and briefly seized his SMG rifle, which was later recovered by police. The FIR further alleges that Jan appeared under the influence of a narcotic, and a subsequent search of his car uncovered 246 grams of methamphetamine beneath the driver’s seat. A 1-gram sample was collected for chemical testing, and the car was impounded. The case invokes Section 9(2)4 of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997, covering possession of psychotropic substances between 100 grams and 500 grams. It also cites Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 along with Sections 186, 279, 353, 382, 411, 427 and 506(ii) of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to assault, obstruction of public servants, theft, mischief, and threats of harm. The FIR was registered at 3:20am on Thursday nearly an hour after the alleged incident. Jan’s family has previously claimed that he was abducted from the parking lot of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences the night before, raising concerns over the circumstances leading to the filing of the FIR.

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