FIA directed to continue inquiry in prohibited funding case

Justice Farooq says governments come and go, but institutions are there to stay

ISLAMABAD:

Justice Amir Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue its inquiry as per law in the prohibited funding case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The court heard the petition filed against the agency’s action against the website namanzoor.com.

During the hearing, Barrister Ali Gohar and Faisal Chaudhry appeared on behalf of the petitioners while Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal and officers of the agency’s cybercrime wing appeared on behalf of the federal government.

Justice Farooq remarked that cases are not made by simply picking up people since this does not lead to any investigation. “If you make cases in this way, then they come to the courts,” he added.

He said that when the court gives a decision, it is accused. “Today you are in the government, tomorrow someone else will be there,” the judge said, adding that governments come and go but institutions are there to stay.

Barrister Gohar said that the FIA should be restrained from taking any kind of disciplinary action.

The additional attorney general requested time for preparation, saying that he had not yet received a copy of the new application filed in the case.

The court then adjourned the hearing of the case till October 27.