Drone attack case: IHC to decide case filed against CIA boss

Justice Siddiqui directed the Interior Ministry, and the capital’s police to submit a reply by the next hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court took stern notice of the authorities’ evasive attitude in a criminal case registered against a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station chief filed by a drone victim, saying the court would decide the case by next hearing.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of IHC is expected to decide the drone attack case against former CIA station chief, Jonathan Banks, and his legal adviser, John A Rizzo, on April 7 as the authorities have not yet submitted a satisfactory reply despite repeated directions by the court.

While giving final opportunity, Justice Siddiqui directed the Interior Ministry, capital’s police and the Islamabad administration to submit a reply by the next hearing.

When the case was taken up, the court noted that the officials have yet to apprise the court about authorities’ clear stance regarding jurisdiction as well as the entire case. Previously, the court had expressed dissatisfaction over their reply.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2017.