ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic development in the narcotics and terrorism case against senior journalist Matiullah Jan, a forensic report submitted to the Islamabad High Court on Thursday revealed that the substance allegedly recovered from him was not a prohibited drug.

The case — registered at Margalla Police Station on Nov 28, 2024 — had accused the journalist of snatching a government-issued rifle, hitting a vehicle at a police barrier and possessing narcotics.

Initiation of legal proceedings against Mr Jan drew strong criticism from journalist bodies and rights groups, who said that the journalist was being targeted for investigating reports of deaths during law-enforcement action against PTI protesters in November 2024.

Bench says appropriate order would be passed, refers matter back to trial court

On Thursday, a division bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the matter in a packed IHC courtroom. During the hearing, the Islamabad police placed on record a laboratory report prepared by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.

Forensic analysis

According to the forensic analysis, the material allegedly recovered from the journalist did not contain methamphetamine — commonly known as “ice”.

The courtroom was filled with members of the legal fraternity, political workers and journalists expressing complete solidarity with Mr Jan.

When former senator Farhatullah Babar was spotted in the courtroom, Justice Tahir inquired about his presence. Mr Babar responded that he had come to show support for the senior journalist.

Advocate Rai Hanif Rahi informed the bench that lawyers had appeared in solidarity, while journalist Saqib Bashir submitted that the case had been pursued “as if Matiullah Jan were a drug dealer”. Advocate Rahi further apprised the court that the matter had been fixed before the trial court for framing of charges.

Observing that the forensic findings carried significant legal implications, the bench questioned whether narcotics-related charges could be sustained in the absence of a prohibited substance.

The judges remarked that an appropriate order would be passed and subsequently referred the matter back to the trial court for further proceedings.

Allegations proven false

In a post on X after the hearing, Matiullah Jan said the allegations against him of smuggling narcotics have been proven false.

He highlighted that the Punjab Forensic Science Agency report presented before the court revealed that the substance allegedly recovered from him was not narcotics or ice.

According to the journalist, the IHC bench asked the prosecution counsel how charges could be framed against Jan in the light of the lab report. The court then referred the case to the trial court and directed the state to submit a supplementary charge-sheet, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026