ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to remove the names of PTI leaders from the stop list immediately.
The apex court also forbade FIA Director General (DG) from harassing anyone by placing his name on the stop list.
The remark came during the hearing of the petitions challenging the placement of PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill, Shahzad Akbar, and others’ names on the stop list.
FIA had placed the names of key aides of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, including PM’s former principal secretary Azam Khan, ex-special assistant to PM on political communication Shahbaz Gill, ex-adviser to PM on interior and accountability Shahzad Akbar, Punjab Director-General Gohar Nafees, and FIA’s Punjab Zone DG Mohammad Rizwan, in the stop list.
Gill, Akbar, FIA law director, and joint interior secretary appeared before the court.
At the outset of the hearing, the law director informed the court that he had received a request from the FIA Islamabad zone on April 8, indicating an extraordinary situation in the country.
At this, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah inquired if martial law had been imposed in the country.
Meanwhile, the FIA official maintained that two separate inquiries had been registered. The court inquired if a new FIA has replaced the old one, noting that the agency regularly attends this court.
Meanwhile, the petitioners’ counsel informed the court that the authorities didn’t comply with judicial orders as Gill and Akbar’s names are still on the stop list.
The court reprimanded the FIA official, asking when the agency became independent enough to launch an inquiry against government officials.
At this, the FIA official said that they received the court’s orders for removing the names from the stop list late as the officials had gone to offer Taraweeh prayers.
However, the official assured the court that the orders will be followed now.
The court directed the FIA DG and interior secretary to submit a report on the matter and adjourned the hearing till April 18.
