Noreen Niazi, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has requested four weeks to submit a detailed reply to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) after the agency issued her a notice over her recent controversial remarks.
Her lawyer, Faisal Malik, appeared before the NCCIA on Monday and submitted an initial written response on her behalf. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said Noreen learned about the notice through social media before her legal team contacted the agency.
The lawyer said the defence requested a copy of the complaint, if any, filed against his client. He also asked the agency to clarify the legal provisions under which the notice had been issued. According to Malik, the legal team requires additional time to prepare a comprehensive response and has formally sought four weeks for that purpose.
He said the NCCIA directed Noreen Niazi to appear before the agency in person on Tuesday. However, he informed officials that she would not be able to attend on the scheduled date.
Malik said his client respects Pakistan and all its state institutions. He added that Noreen maintains she has never intended to make any statement that could harm the country’s reputation or undermine national interests.
The inquiry was launched after Noreen made controversial remarks during an interview on a YouTube channel. In the interview, she commented on Operation Marka-e-Haq and made allegations regarding the Pakistan Army and regional developments. Her statements triggered widespread criticism and prompted authorities to begin an inquiry.
The NCCIA issued the notice under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, directing her to appear before the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad to record her statement. The notice stated that the agency was conducting an inquiry into the matter and warned that failure to comply without sufficient reason could lead to legal consequences under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Officials have not disclosed further details about the ongoing inquiry. The agency is expected to review the initial written response submitted by Noreen’s legal team before deciding on the next course of action. Meanwhile, the legal team continues to seek additional time to prepare and submit its detailed reply.
