ISLAMABAD: The court of Tahir Abbas Sipra, Judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), on Wednesday rejected an application filed by senior journalist Matiullah Jan challenging the jurisdiction of the court in a case pertaining to alleged recovery of drugs and arms, and fixed the matter for indictment.

During the hearing, counsel for the accused argued that the Anti-Terrorism Court did not have jurisdiction to try the case and requested that the matter be transferred to a relevant court. After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the judge had reserved the verdict.

Announcing the reserved order, the court dismissed the plea regarding jurisdiction and directed that proceedings for indictment be initiated. The case has been fixed for February 19 for framing of charges.

The court subsequently adjourned further hearing of the matter until today.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2026