LAHORE: A sessions court has dismissed a criminal revision petition filed by Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, upholding a lower court’s decision that she must appear in person to record her statement in a cybercrime case.

The provincial minister had assailed the decision passed by a judicial magistrate on Feb 10. The magistrate had earlier turned down her request to record her statement as complainant through video link in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (Peca) at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Lahore.

PTI social media activists Falak Javed and Muhammad Shafiq remain in police custody in connection with the case of uploading the minister’s fake video on social media.

In his ruling, Additional District & Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) Nusrat Ali Siddiqui Malik held that testifying via video link is not an absolute right but an exception to the standard requirement of physical appearance, to be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

The judge noted that the petitioner/complainant Ms Bokhari, despite holding public office, had not provided any specific evidence — such as a police complaint or security assessment — to substantiate claims of a threat to her safety. He said holding a ministerial position alone does not entitle a witness to bypass normal courtroom procedure. The judge further observed that the accused’s right to cross-examine the complainant in person is essential to a fair trial and that allowing the request could hinder proceedings.

Noting that the case has already been delayed by the revision petition, the judge urged expeditious disposal of criminal trials.

The judge directed the petitioner/minister to appear before the trial magistrate on the next scheduled date, while noting she remains free to seek additional security arrangements through the appropriate authorities if required.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026