Statements against institutions: PHC restrains FIA from acting against Shandana Gulzar

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from taking action against a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker and directed its Cybercrime Wing to submit a reply in the case at the next hearing.

A two-member bench of the PHC comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Wiqar Ahmad heard the petition filed by Member National Assembly Shandana Gulzar against a notice by the FIA for anti-institution statements.

Muazzam Butt advocate represented the petitioner while Additional Attorney General Sanaullah pleaded the case for the federal government.The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the FIA, Lahore, had issued a notice to his client to appear for recording a statement with it for her alleged negative statements against the state institutions.

He pleaded that if the PTI lawmaker did not appear in the office of the FIA in Lahore, the agency would take action against her.The lawyer also argued that there were no such details about the allegations levelled against the petitioner while the Supreme Court had already directed the law enforcing agencies to show allegations or crimes to those, who were summoned for recording statements or investigation.

During the course of hearing, AAG Sanaullah raised objection and said that notice had been sent by the FIA, Lahore, while the petition had been filed in the PHC.Upon this, Justice Wiqar Ahmad questioned how the FIA, Lahore, could conduct an inquiry against a citizen of another province. He questioned: Is the FIA only in Lahore?

Justice Syed Arshad Ali told the petitioner’s lawyer and AAG that the court should be informed about the allegations levelled against the petitioner and what crime she had committed. March 25 was fixed as the date for the next hearing.