Plea to quash case against ex-SECP Chairman: IHC issues notices to parties

Court seeks response from Federation, FIA and SHO special investigation by September 27

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Thursday, heard an application to quash a case against the former Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Zafar Hijazi – found guilty of tampering records of the companies owned by the Sharif family by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) – and issued notices to the parties nominated.



According to details, the Federation along with the FIA and SHO special investigation unit were named as parties in the application moved in court. The IHC later sought a reply from the aforementioned bodies by September 27.

Hijazi's lawyer maintained that the case filed by the prosecution against the defendant was based on depraved intentions.

During the inquiry against Hijazi, the FIA considered only four statements of the witnesses who themselves were SECP officials and hence, tried to put the burden of their wrongdoings on the shoulders of the ex-SECP chairman, insisted the lawyer.

Hijazi’ lawyer requested the IHC dismiss the case against the ex-SECP chairman, claiming it was filed unlawfully. The lawyer also urged the court stop FIA officials from taking any kind of action against Hijazi.

The Islamabad court later adjourned the hearing until September 27.



A joint investigation team (JIT) – probing into Sharif family’s offshore assets in line with the apex court’s April 20 verdict in Panamagae case – had alleged that the SECP tampered with records of the sugar mills.

The Supreme Court three-judge special bench – overseeing implementation of the Panamagate verdict – had later directed the FIA to probe the allegations.