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

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

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

Decoding the sex scandal that has rocked politics in Pakistan