SHC bars FIA from probing IHC judge’s degree

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday restrained the Federal Investigation Agency from initiating any inquiry about the degree of Islamabad High Court’s judge but also if any complaint is filed by any other person.

The court also directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to ensure that there shall be no publication in print or electronic media based on the decision of the Unfair Means Committee of Karachi University. SHC’s division bench, headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, gave the interim order on a petition filed by the Karachi Bar Association President Amir Nawaz Warraich, seeking an injunction against the defamatory campaign against IHC’s judge and FIA inquiry about his degree.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that KU’s Unfair Means Committee singularly targeted a sitting judge of IHC to tarnish his reputation. He submitted that a defamatory campaign was started against the IHC judge as he was one of the six judges of the IHC who informed the chief justice of Pakistan about the alleged interference by intelligence operatives in judicial matters. He submitted that FIA also initiated an inquiry on the complaint of one Shahzad Gondal, which was disseminated through both electronic and print media regulated by Pemra.

They said that the SHC had already suspended the operation of KU Syndicate and its Unfair Means Committee but despite the court order, FIA initiated an inquiry into a complaint. They said that the action of FIA was unlawful and malafide only to defame the reputation of the IHC judge. Private TV anchor, instead of approaching the Supreme Judicial Council, broadcast the FIA report. They said the independence of the judiciary would blow up if such actions were not stopped. The court was requested to restrain the FIA from conducting an inquiry against the IHC judge and Pemra to restrict its publication on print and electronic media.

After the hearing, the SHC’s division bench, headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, issued notices to FIA, Pemra and others. It also restrained FIA from initiating any inquiry not only in the subject matter but also if any other complaint is filed. The court directed Pemra to ensure that there is no publication in print and broadcast on electronic media based on the decision of the Unfair Means Committee.