ISLAMABAD : Islamabad High Court (IHC) has remarked FIA is fomenting harassment and fear in the society.
A single bench of IHC led by Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah took up for hearing petitions filed against FIA powers here Wednesday.
Director FIA appeared before the court.
The court inquired it should be told how many such complaints were received from all over the country.
Director FIA told the country thousands of such type complaints are received daily from across the country.
The court remarked why are you taking action only on the complaints of your choice. Taking such notice by FIA is not less than a threat for any one. FIA is fomenting harassment in the society. FIA has to exercise its powers cautiously. When FIA summons some one then there are its results. You don’t write date on notice. Investigation officer should know offence is what. It is essential that there should be complainant for registration of FIR. First investigation should be conducted. Then FIR should be registered.
FIA told the court SOPs for taking action on the complaints about social media are being worked out.
The court remarked what procedure it is that investigation officer issues notice on whats app. On whose complaint notice was issued to journalist Bilal Ghauri.
FIA Director told the court a citizen from Islamabad lodged complaint against U-Tube channel of Bilal Ghauri. It was said in the complaint Bilal Ghauri had slung mud on their forefathers.
The court inquired did the investigation officer watch that U-Tube program before sending notice.
The investigation officer read out the script of Bilal Ghauri program in the court. Mention was made in the script about different communities as pro-Britons.
The CJ IHC remarked nothing has been said about complainant in it. FIA will take action if some thing has been mentioned directly against any person.
FIA read out complaint filed by Yousufzai against Asad Toor.
CJ remarked have you to take up the case of journalists. On what basis notices are being issued to journalists by omitting thousands of cases. This way there will be left no journalist nor any parliamentarian. We had directed the investigation officer to review it again. What has been done in this case. The second notice issued to Asad Toor was presented in the court. We had said that date be written on the notice. It was done the same again that date has not been mentioned. This notice had been issued before the previous hearing.
The court directed that copy of complaint be provided to Asad Toor.
The court also ordered FIA to take action as per law in Asad Toor case.
The court wrapped up the case to the extent of Asad Toor.
The court observed FIA will have to satisfy court in other cases. Impression is there that FIA is targeting only journalists.
The hearing of the case was adjourned for two weeks.
