LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has begun the forensic examination of cricketer Imam-ul-Haq’s phone, while Mohammad Rizwan has yet to cooperate with the investigation, sources said on Sunday.
According to NCCIA sources, Imam-ul-Haq cooperated with the investigation after initial hesitation, and forensic analysis of his mobile phone has begun.
According to sources, the NCCIA had contacted Rizwan several times for the forensic examination of his phone, but the former Pakistan captain has not complied with the court’s directions to cooperate with the inquiry, delaying the investigation.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court had issued a written judgement Rizwan’s petition challenging a NCCIA inquiry, directing him to cooperate with the investigation while ordering the agency to proceed strictly in accordance with the law and not harass or unnecessarily trouble him.
The sources said the NCCIA was proceeding cautiously in view of the court orders and would contact Rizwan again on September 28.
If he failed to cooperate, the agency would issue another written notice, the sources said.
The inquiry relates to alleged disciplinary issues and off-field conduct involving players during Pakistan’s Test tour of England.
Sources said that the NCCIA did not want to level any allegations against anyone until the investigation was completed, adding that the objective was not to put anyone in the dock but to remind national heroes of their responsibilities.
They said that the agency hoped to complete the detailed analysis of Imam’s phone soon and expected Rizwan to cooperate with the investigation in the same manner.
The sources said that the NCCIA had also offered to send its investigation team to Rizwan if he was unable to appear at its office in person.
Rizwan’s position
Earlier, Rizwan had told the LHC that he had not been provided details of the alleged online betting charges.
He maintained that the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit was the relevant forum for investigating corruption allegations against cricketers.
He also argued that the allegations had not been reported to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit and said he could only participate in the inquiry after being provided details of any specific allegations against him.
Rizwan had said that if there was a specific allegation, its details should be provided so that he could respond effectively to the inquiry.
How the inquiry began
The inquiry was launched following Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the first two Tests against England, after which Rizwan and Imam were also dropped from the domestic tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently initiated an internal inquiry into players’ discipline and conduct, which was later referred to the NCCIA.
On September 10, Rizwan and Imam appeared before the NCCIA at its Lahore office. Both sought additional time to submit detailed responses, while their mobile phones were taken into custody for forensic analysis.
Dressing-room leaks under investigation
The PCB has said investigations into dressing-room leaks and other related matters are ongoing and that no report has so far been prepared against any player.
The board has also urged that speculation and unverified information regarding the investigation should not be presented as established facts, saying any final conclusions would be based on information gathered during the inquiry.
Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq had appeared before the NCCIA on September 10 in connection with the inquiry.
PAK SOUCH MEDIA GROUP
Daily Pak Souch Newspaper Sukkur – Daily Pak Special Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Today Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Jazbo Newspaper Sukkur
Head Office : Ayub Gate Shaikh Muhalla Near Rabbania Masjid Sukkur
Karachi Office : Office No. 1901-B, 19th Floor Saima Trade Tower (B) Block I.I Chandigarh Road Near Jung Press, Shaheen Complex & National Museum of Pakistan Karachi Sindh Pakistan.
Contact : 03009319022
Website 1 : https://paksouch.com/
Website 2 : https://sindhi.paksouch.com/
Website 3 : https://pakjazbo.com/
Website 4 : https://urdu.pakjazbo.com/
About The Author
