The Lahore High Court has directed Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan to cooperate with an inquiry by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum also ordered the agency not to harass Rizwan or cause him unnecessary inconvenience during the investigation.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened? | Lahore High Court directed Mohammad Rizwan to cooperate with the NCCIA inquiry. |
| Where? | Lahore High Court, Lahore, Pakistan |
| When? | Written order following the September 17 hearing |
| Who is involved? | Mohammad Rizwan, NCCIA, PCB and Lahore High Court |
| Current status | The inquiry can continue, while the NCCIA must avoid harassment or unnecessary inconvenience. |
| Why it matters? | The court has allowed the investigation to proceed while directing both sides to follow the legal process. |
LHC Allows NCCIA Inquiry to Continue
The Lahore High Court has allowed the NCCIA inquiry involving Mohammad Rizwan to continue.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued the directions in a written order related to Rizwan’s petition against the agency.
Rizwan had challenged a call up notice issued by the NCCIA. He had asked the court to declare the notice illegal and stop the inquiry.
The court did not accept his request at this stage. Justice Neelum said a call up notice serves as a procedural step to collect information. She noted that the notice does not itself establish wrongdoing.
The NCCIA inquiry concerns allegations linked to electronic fraud under Section 14 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
According to the arguments presented in court, the agency connected Rizwan to the matter through information gathered during cyber patrolling.
Rizwan’s lawyer argued that the case involved online betting and that the matter should fall under the International Cricket Council’s Anti Corruption Unit.
The court rejected that argument at this stage. Justice Neelum noted that the ICC Anti Corruption Code deals with disciplinary matters. It does not replace criminal laws that apply in Pakistan.
Rizwan's Position
Rizwan challenged the NCCIA notice and questioned its legal basis.
His petition described the notice as vague and arbitrary. He also argued that online betting did not fall within the relevant scheduled offences under PECA and its 2025 amendments.
Rizwan expressed concern about possible coercive action. He asked the court to cancel the notice and end the inquiry.
PCB and England Series Background
The NCCIA inquiry followed a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board during Pakistan’s Test series against England.
The PCB had also announced an internal disciplinary inquiry after media reports raised questions about discipline and conduct within the team.
The matter also involved reports about possible dressing room information leaks during the series.
Pakistan lost the three match Test series 3 to 0. Rizwan and Imam ul Haq later appeared before the NCCIA after receiving notices.
On September 11, the two cricketers also missed the President’s Trophy Grade I domestic first class tournament.
LHC Orders Rizwan to Cooperate
The Lahore High Court has not stopped the NCCIA inquiry involving Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, it has asked Rizwan to cooperate while directing the agency to avoid harassment or unnecessary inconvenience.
The investigation can now proceed under the applicable legal process. Any further challenge will depend on the developments and outcome of the inquiry.
