Misplaced priorities? IHC surprised at FIA's probe into civil case

Investigator directed to present case details within 10 days

ISLAMABAD: The top federal investigating agency of the country has been asked to explain why it was probing cases of a civil nature?

The issue came to light as the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah heard a case of incorrect land registry between two brothers.

While hearing the case, Justice Minallah asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) investigator why the special investigation agency was probing a civil case?

Expressing his surprise at the FIA’s interest in the case, he went on to remark that if that is what the FIA wants to do, then the court can refer the thousands of civil cases pending with it to the agency.

The FIA investigator present in the court explained that the fraudulent action took place before a Tehsildar which is why the FIA was probing the case.

Justice Minallah, though, stated that if fake fingerprints have been obtained on a legal document, then it is the job of the local police to probe the matter, not the FIA.

It is not your (FIA’s) job to look into a conflict between two brothers, the court remarked adding that the FIA should focus on its actual job.

The court, though, subsequently directed the FIA investigator to present details of the case and its nature within 10 days. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2018.