KARACHI
\nSindh High Court (SHC) Constitutional Bench has expressed resentment over blocking the bank and mobile accounts of citizens by FIA.
\nThe court directed DG FIA to hold inquiry against the officers involved in blocking the bank and mobile accounts of the citizens.
\nThe court further directed that inquiry be completed within three months besides assigning no operational responsibilities to these officers.
\nJustice Adnan ul Karim Memon maintained the basic rights of the citizens cannot be curbed merely on the basis of inquiry. If no legal order is there for blocking passport or accounts of the petitioners then the facilities be restored forthwith.
\nThe counsel for the petitioner said that FIA blocked passports, national identity cards and mobile accounts of the petitioners without giving any notice. The petitioners have suffered heavily in their business being identity documents and accounts blocked. The court has acquitted the petitioners in the case against them.
\nThe state counsel said the proceedings under anti money laundering act are of separate nature from basic case. The proceedings in such matters don\u2019t end automatically due to acquittal of the accused persons.
\nThe court remarked the investigations can be kept continued under anti money laundering law. The interference cannot be made in the passport or financial activities of any citizen for indefinite period on the basis of only inquiry.
\nThe court remarked the letters written by FIA to banks were used by banks for blocking the accounts. Any order from any competent authority or court was there to block accounts.
\nThe powers under anti money laundering act can be used only under legal approval.
\nThe court warned if the matter of such nature comes to light in future then contempt of court proceedings will be initiated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI Sindh High Court (SHC) Constitutional Bench has expressed resentment over blocking the bank and mobile accounts of citizens by FIA. The court directed DG FIA to hold inquiry against the officers involved in blocking the bank and mobile accounts of the citizens. The court further directed that inquiry be completed within three months besides […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-548800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n