SHC orders action against Hareem Shah

TikToker faces money laundering charges for showing bundles of 'smuggled dollars'

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has withdrawn its order restraining Federal Investigation Agency from taking action against famous TikToker Hareem Shah. The court issued a written order on the petition against Hareem Shah's FIA inquiry.

FIA had initiated a money laundering probe against Shah after a video clip of the social media star went viral in January which she could be seen flaunting foreign currency while claiming she managed to easily take a hefty amount out of Pakistan. In the said video, Shah went on to mock the authorities and shared: "No one stopped me because no one can. I easily took the large sum out of the country."

In its order, the court said that the FIA had issued a notice to Hareem Shah on January 19, 2022, to appear before the investigating officer by January 31. Hareem Shah approached the court through her attorney, who assured the court that she would join the inquiry as soon as she arrived in Pakistan.

The court had restrained the FIA from taking action against Hareem Shah and adjourned the hearing till March 8. On March 8, Hareem Shah's counsel stated that she was receiving medical treatment in Turkey, the written order said. A certificate in Turkish was presented which was not even understood by the petitioner's counsel.

Hareem Shah's counsel told the court that she would come to Pakistan by April 15 and join the inquiry. On April 18, the counsel said that Hareem Shah had gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah but did not come to Pakistan. It was stated in the written order that despite assurances to the court, three months have passed but Hareem Shah has not come to Pakistan and has not joined the inquiry.

“There is no point in keeping this petition pending now." The court withdrew its restraining order against FIA. "When Hareem Shah returns to Pakistan, she can exercise her right according to law," the written order said.