SC directs FIA to vacate Axact office within a month after completing forensic audit

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to complete within a month, transferring of computer data, and forensic audit of Axact Private Limited, allegedly involved in issuing fake educational degrees.

The court also directed the FIA to ensure vacating of offices of Axact Private Limited in a month and submit compliance report. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed resumed hearing into the plea of M/s Axact Private Limited, challenging the freezing of the company accounts and vires of Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010. Appearing on notice Abid S Zuberi, counsel for M/s Axact Private Limited contended that the FIA had completely took over his client offices and its employees were not allowed to enter.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed however, asked an investigation officer of FIA to avoid making the offices of Axact as residential place, asking the official to complete the investigation. “The matter involves money but you cannot keep someone money only to the extent of crime and leave the remaining amount as well,” Justice Gulzar told the official.

Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatto however, submitted before the court that the whole amount of the company related to the crime. FIA investigation officer however, sought three months for completing the process of transferring computer data, forensic audit as well as vacating the office of Axact.

The court however, asked the investigation officer to complete the process within a month while Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti was directed to submit report pertaining to freezing of accounts of Axact within two weeks and adjourned further hearing.