Alvi, family told to appear before National Cybercrime Agency

Ex-president's entire family's bank accounts frozen over blasphemy probe

KARACHI:

The Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court has directed former President Dr Arif Alvi and his entire family to appear before the National Cybercrime Agency in connection with a petition challenging the freezing of their bank accounts.

A two-member bench headed by Justice K. K. Agha heard the petition against the freezing of the bank accounts belonging to the former president and his family. During the proceedings, the investigating officer informed the court that the National Cybercrime Agency was conducting an inquiry into allegations of blasphemy against the petitioner. He said that despite notices being issued, the petitioner had not appeared before the investigators.

The petitioner's counsel, Barrister Ali Tahir, argued that the former president had been falsely accused of blasphemy. He maintained that the National Cybercrime Agency had no authority to freeze anyone's bank accounts, and yet, accounts belonging not only to the former president but also to his entire family had been blocked.

Representing the state, the Assistant Attorney General of Pakistan argued that some individuals post controversial content either to gain attention online or for other ulterior motives. Barrister Ali Tahir reiterated that former president Dr Arif Alvi had not committed any act of blasphemy, but even his daughter-in-law and other family members had had their bank accounts frozen.

Justice K. K. Agha remarked that the matter of benami (fictitious) accounts was also before the court and questioned why, if no crime had been committed, the petitioners were avoiding the inquiry. Barrister Ali Tahir responded that his clients were not avoiding the inquiry, but were currently outside the country.

Justice Agha observed that the court wanted progress in the investigation. He advised that if there was a risk of arrest, the petitioners should file a separate plea for protective bail.

The court subsequently directed the former president and his family to appear before the National Cybercrime Agency. It further ordered that Dr Arif Alvi, his son Awab Alvi, and other family members should not be taken into custody. The court also sought a report from the National Cybercrime Agency and other relevant authorities by 21 October.