MUZAFFARGARH: The Anti-Terrorism Court special judge in Dera Ghazi Khan has deleted the provisions of 7-ATA and extortion from the case of journalist Usman Khattak of Muzaffargarh.

The accused’s lawyer, Basir Sikhani, appeared in the court and opposed the request of the police for physical remand under the terrorism charges.

The court deleted the provisions and dismissed the request of the police for physical remand.

The City Police Station of Muzaffargarh had registered a case of alleged extortion against Usman Khattak on the complaint of District Accounts Officer Nadeem Butt. The police arrested him and added terrorism provisions to the case.

According to the first information report, Khattak demanded extortion from Butt when his family friends came to meet him in Muzaffargarh in 2024 where the journalist blackmailed him, alleging that his family friends had close relationship with some banned outfits.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025