Pakistan
LHC seeks response from FIA on petition against notices to journalists
During the hearing, public prosecutor opposed the request of the journalist
Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Wednesday sought a response from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on the petition against sending notices to journalists.
Justice Asjad Javed Gharal of LHC heard the application, during which Barrister Hasnain Chaudhary appeared in the court on behalf of the journalists.
It was argued by the counsel for the petitioner that the journalists appeared before the FIA after sending the notice. The petitioner asked the FIA for a list of charges which has not been given till date. Without giving a list of charges, the FIA has now issued a notice of unilateral action on August 29.
The petitioner's lawyer said that the FIA summons the citizens and makes them sit and mock them all day. It is risked that the journalist will be arrested if he appears before the FIA.
During the hearing, the public prosecutor opposed the request of the journalist.
Justice Asjad Javed Gharal expressed his indignation at the behavior of FIA towards the citizens and remarked that if someone says that there are any allegations against them, then give the list of these allegations. No one can stop the institutions from taking action but follow the law.
Justice Asjad Javed said that it has become a habit of FIA, anti-corruption, and other institutions to call citizens and make them sit. The institutions call citizens and keep them sitting because there is no material to carry forward the inquiries.
The court directed the FIA to submit a detailed reply within two weeks and remarked that the FIA should first submit the reply to the court, and then look into the matter.
Later, the court adjourned the further proceedings of the case for two weeks while seeking a response from the FIA on the application against the FIA notices to the journalists.