Karachi: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has rejected the “rape allegations” hurled by US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie at one of its leaders, stating that the claims are part of a plan to vilify the party leadership. Party leader Rehman Malik filed a Rs 500 million defamation suit against the US blogger over “false, frivolous and baseless allegation of rape against him” through his lawyer in the Supreme Court.

A notice has been sent to the US blogger, demanding a prompt withdrawal of the allegation and an unqualified apology, The Tribune said. 

Cynthia, on Friday, alleged that she was raped by Malik in 2011 when he was the interior minister and also accused former federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and ex-prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of “physically manhandling” her when Gilani was staying at the “President’s House” and PPP was in power.

“I would recommend all media channels of Pakistan that an issue is being created to malign the political leadership of Pakistan,” Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said while addressing a news conference.

“You can put it in writing. If we create pomp and show about it, then today it is the PPP, tomorrow it will be another party and then so on. Maybe, those who are blowing trumpets about it, they can also [fall victim to it],” he added.

Ghani said that people were aware of the “activities” of those who were in power.

“If they [government ministers] think they can be happy over false allegations regarding others, then they will have to face true allegations against themselves. Then, they will not be able to rid themselves of it.”

The PPP leader said that the nation faced a multitude of issues but the channels were busy running the “baseless and false allegations of a woman”.

To a question, the PPP leader said that the allegations were being levelled by a woman whose own character was “dubious”.

“At times, she is in Israel, at times in India. A foreigner comes here and tries to be more patriotic than you and me. How is it possible?” he asked.

Earlier, Cynthia in a tweet said Malik should be asked about “that night”.

“The flowers, the electronic device (unusual) gift and the drugged drinks he gave me,” she tweeted.

She alleged that the PPP was harassing her to write in favour of the party.

To another question whether she was ready or not for the court, the US blogger tweeted: “Absolutely. As I said before, I’m ready for court. All the documents, voice notes, filthy images and rape threats from PPP, the data scientists who’ve assisted in putting together this nexis [sic] of harassment. I hope PPP is ready for my suit.”

She made it clear that she would only accept an apology from the PPP chairman himself. “I will acknowledge the apology and consider removing the tweet. I will only accept an apology from the chairman of the party,” she said.

Meanwhile, a district court in Islamabad fixed two applications filed by the PPP for the police and FIA to register cases against Cynthia for hearing.

The applications had been filed by PPP Islamabad President Shakeel Abbasi.

The court has sought replies from the police and FIA for registering two separate cases against the US blogger.

The hearing of the application for the police to register a case will be held on Monday (today), while the hearing of the application for the FIA cybercrime wing will take place on June 9 (tomorrow).

Cynthia D Ritchie has said she fully stands on her allegations against the PPP leaders. Talking in Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’ hosted by Shahzad Iqbal and another private news channel, Cynthia alleged that Rehman Malik called her by sending a driver and promised to resolve her issue related to her visa. She alleged that Rehman Malik made her drink a toxic drink and then raped her.

Ritchie claimed that when she arrived to meet Rehman Malik, the gifts of a bouquet, precious mobile phone and drink were arranged for her. She alleged that after the rape, Rehman Malik sent her back to her residence. She alleged that Rehman Malik gave 2,000 Pound Sterling to the driver who took her back. She said she complained to the US embassy, but did not get positive response.

About  former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani, Cynthia alleged that he hugged her awkwardly and Makhdoom Shahabuddin tried to massage her shoulders. She said she asked Shahabuddin to stay away from her. She said her tweet about Benazir Bhutto was based on information shared by senior PPP leaders.

Cynthia said she is now able to talk about these incidents as now she has developed contacts in the PPP, PML-N and also in the PTI. She said she is now receiving threats from the PPP and even her family is not spared.

Yousaf Raza Gilani earlier had said the PPP has answered the allegations of the US citizen. He said what Cynthia was doing in the Presidency when the security situation was so precarious during war on terror. He said he even doesn’t know Cynthia. He said many people meet a prime minister daily, and it is not possible to remember everyone. He said the party will decide about legal action on Cynthia’s allegations.

Makhdoom Shahabuddin said he can say on oath that all the allegations of Cynthia are baseless and there is someone else behind her. He said the matter should be thoroughly probed. Meanwhile, in a tweet, Cynthis Ritchie said that she will sue PPP and Rehman Malik and others in the coming week.

She said that US Embassy in Islamabad had been informed and she anticipated meetings to follow through with these matters. She warned PPP that “Karma is coming for you.”