Why FIR lodged in Pakistan if murder took place in London, asks IHC

Islamabad

A division bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Athar Minallah, while hearing the post-arrest bail application of Moazzam Ali, an accused in Imran Farooq murder case, has raised a question that the federal government has to answer about the purpose of registering this case in Pakistan.

The IHC division bench observed that prima facie this is a political case. Murder took place in London then why Pakistani government has registered an FIR here in Pakistan.

A standing counsel, Khawaja Imtiaz, told the court that a team of Scotland Yard officials is in Pakistan and is sharing pieces of information and evidence with Pakistani joint investigation team (JIT). IHC bench then inquired the standing counsel whether they have recorded testimony of the eyewitnesses in Britain. Standing counsel told the court that it will take four to five days to complete with the on-going process. Standing counsel sought time to answer the questions.

The IHC bench then put off this matter till next week.

Moazzam Ali, in his bail application, adopted that he has got no direct or indirect nexus with the murder of former MQM leader Imran Farooq. Murder took place in London, the accused was arrested from Karachi and the case was registered in Islamabad. Petitioner further adopted that Pakistani investigating authorities have been prosecuting him on the basis that he has been a facilitator in this matter whereas there has been no evidence against him. He has prayed to the court to grant him bail after arrest.