Cynthia Ritchie was making headlines earlier this year. In June, the Pakistan-based American blogger had accused a former Pakistani Prime Minister of assault. She had also claimed that a Former Minister had raped her.

Three months on, Cynthia Ritchie has been asked to leave Pakistan and Islamabad has refused to extend her visa.

The blogger has been given a 15-day deadline to pack her bags and leave but she leaves behind a series of questions starting with who is she — is she a CIA agent, a journalist or&nbsp;a lobbyist? Her purpose of stay in Pakistan for nearly a decade and her close ties with Pakistan's political and military elites are still unanswered.

She is being named, shamed and blamed. Her name has become synonymous to sex and scandals in Pakistan.

A quick twitter search about Cynthia D. Ritchie leads us to her verified account. Her Twitter bio says she writes for ETribune, the news international and the South Asia magazine.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-who-is-cynthia-ritchie-325309/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

She claims to be a blogger, but does not mind being called a journalist.

It was in May this year that Cynthia Ritchie made news when she accused Pakistan's Former Prime Minister&nbsp;Benazir Bhutto of condoning rape.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">Also read:&nbsp;American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

Soon, there were cybercrime complaints against her and within days, she accused PPP leaders of rape and manhandling. In the line of fire was former Interior Minister Rehman Malik. She accused him of rape.

Ritchie also accused former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of manhandling her. The same allegations were pressed against former Health Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZardarisFilthyPPP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZardarisFilthyPPP</a> keeps threatening me. Why? Because they know that over the years I have been raped/assaulted by men in the highest ranks of PPP. They don't want the world to know. 
 
I have decided to go live on facebook in approximately 30 minutes &amp; continue to tell my story.
— Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaDRitchie/status/1268883571210682368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

By June 20202, the name Cynthia Ritchie was being followed by a series of questions about her identity, purpose of stay in Pakistan, her intentions and her political connections.

Cynthia D Ritchie is a 44-year-old American. She has been living in Pakistan for nearly a decade now. Some call her a showpiece of the military and it is no secret that ISPR pays foreigners to paint the military in a good light.

In one interview, Ritchie says she came to Pakistan to highlight the sense of normalcy in the nation.

She has 293,000 followers on Twitter,&nbsp;350,000 followers on Facebook and she is very popular on YouTube too. Despite her popularity, not much is known about this American woman.

On Facebook, Titchie says she is a film director. "Cynthia is a freelance director/producer/writer currently working on an international travel series," her Facebook bio reads.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="441" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnotes%2Fcynthia-dawn-ritchie%2Fan-open-letter-to-facebook%2F1381858815245941%2F&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In an open letter to Facebook in 2017, Ritchie claims that she has taught social media to a government organisation several years ago. "I consider myself to be a peace activist", she says.

In 2013, Dawn listed her as one of the 10 Americans doing great things for Pakistan. It says Ritchie participated in a variety of humanitarian projects in Pakistan including flood relief, health care projects, reconstruction of high schools and a women's health clinic.

There is no clear answer for who she is or where in the US is she from. The buzz online is that she may be a CIA agent, which may not be true.

So, the questions about her identity, her contentions stay unanswered.The truth may come out once Ritchie is deported to the US within less than 15 days.

Cynthia Ritchie was making headlines earlier this year. In June, the Pakistan-based American blogger had accused a former Pakistani Prime Minister of assault. She had also claimed that a Former Minister had raped her.

Cynthia Ritchie was making headlines earlier this year. In June, the Pakistan-based American blogger had accused a former Pakistani Prime Minister of assault. She had also claimed that a Former Minister had raped her. Three months on, Cynthia Ritchie has been asked to leave Pakistan and Islamabad has refused to extend her visa. The blogger has been given a 15-day deadline to pack her bags and leave but she leaves behind a series of questions starting with who is she — is she a CIA agent, a journalist or a lobbyist? Her purpose of stay in Pakistan for nearly a decade and her close ties with Pakistan's political and military elites are still unanswered. She is being named, shamed and blamed. Her name has become synonymous to sex and scandals in Pakistan. A quick twitter search about Cynthia D. Ritchie leads us to her verified account. Her Twitter bio says she writes for ETribune, the news international and the South Asia magazine. × She claims to be a blogger, but does not mind being called a journalist. It was in May this year that Cynthia Ritchie made news when she accused Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of condoning rape. Also read: American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges Soon, there were cybercrime complaints against her and within days, she accused PPP leaders of rape and manhandling. In the line of fire was former Interior Minister Rehman Malik. She accused him of rape. Ritchie also accused former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of manhandling her. The same allegations were pressed against former Health Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin. #ZardarisFilthyPPP keeps threatening me. Why? Because they know that over the years I have been raped/assaulted by men in the highest ranks of PPP. They don't want the world to know. I have decided to go live on facebook in approximately 30 minutes & continue to tell my story. — Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) June 5, 2020 × By June 20202, the name Cynthia Ritchie was being followed by a series of questions about her identity, purpose of stay in Pakistan, her intentions and her political connections. Cynthia D Ritchie is a 44-year-old American. She has been living in Pakistan for nearly a decade now. Some call her a showpiece of the military and it is no secret that ISPR pays foreigners to paint the military in a good light. In one interview, Ritchie says she came to Pakistan to highlight the sense of normalcy in the nation. She has 293,000 followers on Twitter, 350,000 followers on Facebook and she is very popular on YouTube too. Despite her popularity, not much is known about this American woman. On Facebook, Titchie says she is a film director. "Cynthia is a freelance director/producer/writer currently working on an international travel series," her Facebook bio reads. × In an open letter to Facebook in 2017, Ritchie claims that she has taught social media to a government organisation several years ago. "I consider myself to be a peace activist", she says. In 2013, Dawn listed her as one of the 10 Americans doing great things for Pakistan. It says Ritchie participated in a variety of humanitarian projects in Pakistan including flood relief, health care projects, reconstruction of high schools and a women's health clinic. There is no clear answer for who she is or where in the US is she from. The buzz online is that she may be a CIA agent, which may not be true. So, the questions about her identity, her contentions stay unanswered.The truth may come out once Ritchie is deported to the US within less than 15 days.

Cynthia D Ritchie: A journalist or a CIA agent?

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected controversial American blogger Cynthia Ritchie's application for visa extension and directed her to leave the country within 15 days.

The Ministry of Interior took the decision after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked authorities to make a final decision about the status of her stay in the country.

Radio Pakistan reported that the ministry asked Ritchie to leave the country in 15 days as her visa was not extended.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">Also read|&nbsp;American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah in June had sought an explanation from the ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ritchie on a petition filed by an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, in the petition said that Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He also sought her deportation.

Ritchie had in June through a video clip posted on her Facebook page alleged that she was raped by Pakistan's former interior minister Rehman Malik and accused ex-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and another former minister of physically manhandling her in 2011.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/have-experienced-mild-harassment-from-pti-leaders-cynthia-ritchie-307056">Also read|&nbsp;Have experienced 'mild' harassment from PTI leaders: Cynthia Ritchie</a>

She also alleged that late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto condoned rape culture in Pakistan.

The Islamabad's District and Session Court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in June to register a case against Ritchie for maligning Bhutto on social media.

On Tuesday, the deputy attorney general submitted a copy of a recent order passed by the interior ministry's secretary to the IHC in Ritchie's case. The court noted that the secretary had not made reference to any law or policy and appeared to have solely relied on Ritchie's statement.

The order is self-contradictory and in conflict with the previous order, the IHC observed.

The secretary conceded in his order that Ritchie was granted a work visa in violation of policy and laws.

The court observed that the interior secretary had been evasive in recording his findings regarding the crucial question: whether a foreign national visiting Pakistan on the basis of a business visa was entitled to give statements of a political nature.

The IHC, on Tuesday, also referred back for review the matter related to registration of a first information report against former interior minister Rehman Malik over allegations of rape by Ritchie.

Meanwhile, Ritchie, in a tweet, claimed that the interior ministry had rejected her application "under pressure".

"The MoI — under pressure best known to them — has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal &amp; will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application &amp; upon merits grant visa," she said.

Ritchie has been living in Pakistan for more than a decade. She introduced herself as an adventure tourist who fell in love with Pakistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected controversial American blogger Cynthia Ritchie's application for visa extension and directed her to leave the country within 15 days.

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected controversial American blogger Cynthia Ritchie's application for visa extension and directed her to leave the country within 15 days. The Ministry of Interior took the decision after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked authorities to make a final decision about the status of her stay in the country. Radio Pakistan reported that the ministry asked Ritchie to leave the country in 15 days as her visa was not extended. Also read| American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah in June had sought an explanation from the ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ritchie on a petition filed by an activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements, the Dawn newspaper reported. The petitioner, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, in the petition said that Ritchie is a foreign national and she has stayed in Pakistan without a valid visa. He also sought her deportation. Ritchie had in June through a video clip posted on her Facebook page alleged that she was raped by Pakistan's former interior minister Rehman Malik and accused ex-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and another former minister of physically manhandling her in 2011. Also read| Have experienced 'mild' harassment from PTI leaders: Cynthia Ritchie She also alleged that late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto condoned rape culture in Pakistan. The Islamabad's District and Session Court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in June to register a case against Ritchie for maligning Bhutto on social media. On Tuesday, the deputy attorney general submitted a copy of a recent order passed by the interior ministry's secretary to the IHC in Ritchie's case. The court noted that the secretary had not made reference to any law or policy and appeared to have solely relied on Ritchie's statement. The order is self-contradictory and in conflict with the previous order, the IHC observed. The secretary conceded in his order that Ritchie was granted a work visa in violation of policy and laws. The court observed that the interior secretary had been evasive in recording his findings regarding the crucial question: whether a foreign national visiting Pakistan on the basis of a business visa was entitled to give statements of a political nature. The IHC, on Tuesday, also referred back for review the matter related to registration of a first information report against former interior minister Rehman Malik over allegations of rape by Ritchie. Meanwhile, Ritchie, in a tweet, claimed that the interior ministry had rejected her application "under pressure". "The MoI — under pressure best known to them — has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal & will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application & upon merits grant visa," she said. Ritchie has been living in Pakistan for more than a decade. She introduced herself as an adventure tourist who fell in love with Pakistan.

Pak directs American blogger Cynthia Ritchie to leave country within 15 days

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her.

In a new development, Ritchie, who is questioned for her proximity to Pakistani establishment and country's all-powerful military, said that she has also faced "mild harassment" from ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the past.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/decoding-the-sex-scandal-that-has-rocked-politics-in-pakistan-304365">Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan</a>

"I have experienced a few cases of mild harassment from PTI workers in the past", the American writer said in an interview with DW.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

However, she added that the harassment was "nothing close to the violent, aggressive attacks" she has experienced by the people "affiliated with the PPP".&nbsp;

In the interview, Ritchie also said that the issue of sexual harassment in Pakistan "comes mostly from the educated elites".

She also said that she decided to come out with her reality after so long as some "detailed information" was shared by a person associated with PPP, but pretended to be his half-sibling.

"Abusing me is one thing. Abusing my family is where I draw the line," she added.

She also said that abuse is not openly discussed in Pakistan as it is in the West and is considered acceptable "as long as one maintains a luxury lifestyle".

In a Facebook Live video, Ritchie, earlier this month said that she was raped by former interior minister Rehman Malik. She also accused former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "physically manhandling" her.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her.

Cynthia Ritchie, an American writer, earlier this month accused several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders, including former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to sexually harass her. In a new development, Ritchie, who is questioned for her proximity to Pakistani establishment and country's all-powerful military, said that she has also faced "mild harassment" from ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the past. Also read | Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan "I have experienced a few cases of mild harassment from PTI workers in the past", the American writer said in an interview with DW. Also read | American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges However, she added that the harassment was "nothing close to the violent, aggressive attacks" she has experienced by the people "affiliated with the PPP". In the interview, Ritchie also said that the issue of sexual harassment in Pakistan "comes mostly from the educated elites". She also said that she decided to come out with her reality after so long as some "detailed information" was shared by a person associated with PPP, but pretended to be his half-sibling. "Abusing me is one thing. Abusing my family is where I draw the line," she added. She also said that abuse is not openly discussed in Pakistan as it is in the West and is considered acceptable "as long as one maintains a luxury lifestyle". In a Facebook Live video, Ritchie, earlier this month said that she was raped by former interior minister Rehman Malik. She also accused former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of "physically manhandling" her.

Have experienced 'mild' harassment from PTI leaders: Cynthia Ritchie

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner.&nbsp;

Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/american-blogger-accuses-pakistans-zardari-govt-officials-of-rape-harassment-former-minister-denies-charges-303796">American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges</a>

Ritchie has made the allegations during a Facebook Live session. She said that she was raped by then home minister Rehman Malik in 2011, saying that the incident took place at his residence where her drink was drugged.&nbsp;

She also accused former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of physically manhandling her. Similar allegations have also been made against former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-american-woman-accuses-top-pak-leaders-of-rape-assault-304372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ritchie has also said that these were not the only politicians involved, adding that some of those also belonged to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party of former PM Nawaz Sharif.&nbsp;

Now, the question is that why a nine-year-old incident has now come to light?

It all began in late May, when Ritchie accused former prime minister Benazir Bhutto of ordering her guards to rape women, who had affairs with her husband, &nbsp;

PPP filed a complaint accusing Ritchie of hateful comment and slander against their former leader.&nbsp;

A week later, Ritchie accused PPP leaders of assaulting and raping her.&nbsp;

Rehman Malik sent a legal notice to Ritchie, accusing her of character assassination.&nbsp;

In Pakistan, several people have questioned the US blogger's allegations, saying that she is close to establishment and Imran Khan government is using her to divert people's attention from health and economic crisis in the country.&nbsp;

Some people also question how could she manage to stay in the country for years. Some people also call her a CIA mole.&nbsp;

Ritchie's pictures with senior military leaders were also shared.&nbsp;

The blogger says that she narrated the incident to the US Embassy in 2011, but their response was "less than adequate".&nbsp;

On Twitter, Ritchie's supporters are describing her critics as traitors, anti-Pakistanis.&nbsp;

WION cannot fact-check the claims, but the scandal has given Pakistan PM an opportunity to launch a political tool against his opponents.&nbsp;

Also, if Ritchie's claims are right, it exposes an even-darker side of Pakistan's political elite.&nbsp;

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner. Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Pakistan is in the middle of a sex scandal and three of its Opposition leaders, including a former prime minister have come under scanner. Cynthia Ritchie, an Islamabad-based US blogger has made allegations of sexual assault against three leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Also read | American blogger accuses Pakistan's Zardari govt officials of rape, harassment; former minister denies charges Ritchie has made the allegations during a Facebook Live session. She said that she was raped by then home minister Rehman Malik in 2011, saying that the incident took place at his residence where her drink was drugged. She also accused former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of physically manhandling her. Similar allegations have also been made against former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin. Ritchie has also said that these were not the only politicians involved, adding that some of those also belonged to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party of former PM Nawaz Sharif. Now, the question is that why a nine-year-old incident has now come to light? It all began in late May, when Ritchie accused former prime minister Benazir Bhutto of ordering her guards to rape women, who had affairs with her husband, PPP filed a complaint accusing Ritchie of hateful comment and slander against their former leader. A week later, Ritchie accused PPP leaders of assaulting and raping her. Rehman Malik sent a legal notice to Ritchie, accusing her of character assassination. In Pakistan, several people have questioned the US blogger's allegations, saying that she is close to establishment and Imran Khan government is using her to divert people's attention from health and economic crisis in the country. Some people also question how could she manage to stay in the country for years. Some people also call her a CIA mole. Ritchie's pictures with senior military leaders were also shared. The blogger says that she narrated the incident to the US Embassy in 2011, but their response was "less than adequate". On Twitter, Ritchie's supporters are describing her critics as traitors, anti-Pakistanis. WION cannot fact-check the claims, but the scandal has given Pakistan PM an opportunity to launch a political tool against his opponents. Also, if Ritchie's claims are right, it exposes an even-darker side of Pakistan's political elite.

Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan