FIA directed to proceed against Babar Azam

Petitioner accuses cricketer of fornication on promise of marriage

LAHORE:

An additional district and sessions judge directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register FIR against two women and one Babar Azam captain Pakistani Cricket Team for allegedly blackmailing, posing threats and harassing Hamiza Mukhtar.

Judge Hamid Hussain in his order directed the respondent FIA to “proceed further concerning registration of FIR against the culprits within the stipulated time after committed of legal formalities”.

Petitioner Hamiza Mukhtar, who had earlier claimed that Babar Azam allegedly blackmailed her and fornicated with her consent on promises of marriage, had filed a complaint before the FIA for registration of FIR against those unidentified callers who used to pose her threats of dire consequences in response to ‘litigation battle’ which Hamiza initiated against Azam.

She also alleged that the callers claimed they have her objectionable pictures and videos and it will be uploaded on social media to harm her report in society and ruin her life.

She requested the FIA to trace the callers and register FIR against them.

During FIA’s enquiry, the cellular record showed that two mobile phones belonged to Maryam Ahmed and Salemi Bibi and one belonged to Babar Azam.

Salemi Bibi did not turn up despite she was served notices thrice.

Maryam appeared and she claimed she did not know petitioner Hamiza and she did not send any abused message.

She also promised to surrender her mobile for further inquiry on January 18, 20210 but she still neither appeared nor provided any digital evidence.

Azam was summoned on January 18, 2021. His elder brother Faisal Azam appeared on behalf of Babar Azam and sought some time for verifying the matter but after that, he did not turn up.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2021.