The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stayed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from proceeding against Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Chairman Imran Khan.
In two separate petitions, Aleema’s counsel sought suspension of the February 2 notice, orders to furnish evidence and record, while adopting the stance that notice was seen on social media and not received by the petitioner.
The court issued notices to the FIA for reply and adjourned the hearing till next week. The FIA cybercrime and counter-terrorism wing had issued separate notices.
Earlier, the ex-PM’s sister once more failed to attend the summons by the FIA’s Counter-Terrorism Wing. The inquiry revolves around allegations of spreading hatred against the state and fostering division between the people of Pakistan and the armed forces.
The FIA’s Counter-Terrorism Wing in Islamabad had scheduled Aleema’s appearance for 11am on Tuesday, February 6. Despite her name being logged in the entry register, she did not present herself at the FIA headquarters even after office hours concluded.
The FIA initiated inquiry number 4 of 2024 based on a complaint filed by the Section Officer Policy of the Ministry of Interior. Under Section 160 of the criminal procedure code, a summon was dispatched to her Lahore residence on February 2, stipulating her appearance at 11 am. The notice explicitly stated that failure to appear would be construed as a tacit admission of guilt.
Prior to this, Aleema received a summons from the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing in Islamabad on February 3, yet she did not attend that inquiry either.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th 2024.
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