Islamabad : US blogger Cynthia Ritchie, who accused several politicians of sexual abuse in Pakistan, has been denied an extension of her visa. She has been asked to leave Pakistan within 15 days. Cynthia has said that the Home Ministry has taken the decision not to extend her visa. The Home Ministry took this decision after the Islamabad High Court summoned the response in which the government was asked about the status of the residence of the American blogger.
The High Court had said that the government should take a final decision in relation to Cynthia and tell whether to keep her in Pakistan or not. This question was asked by High Court Justice Athar Minalla on the petition of Chaudhary Iftikhar Ahmed, activist of Pakistan People’s Party. In the petition, information about the status of Cynthia’s residence was sought. In response, it was said that she is a foreign national and living in Pakistan without a visa. She was asked how she is making political statements in the country. Radio Pakistan has reported that Cynthia has been told that her visa period is not being extended, so she will have to leave Pakistan within 15 days.
In June, Cynthia posted a video on Facebook stating that former Pakistan Foreign Minister Rehman Malik had coerced her while former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and another former minister had molested her. These people committed these acts in 2011 when they were in government positions. Cynthia, who came to Pakistan as a tourist, has been living here for more than ten years.