ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from harassing President Bol News Network and news anchor Sami Ibrahim till September 20.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the order while hearing the case against the investigation agency’s notices to Sami Ibrahim.
“Ostensibly, no case can be made against Sami Ibrahim,” said the IHC chief justice. He said the FIA was being given another chance to satisfy the court.
“Now on what basis has action been taken against him?” inquired Justice Athar Minallah.
The deputy attorney general alleged that the anchor levelled accusation on the Election Commission of Pakistan of rigging.
“Attempts have been made to influence institutions,” the deputy attorney general alleged. Upon which the court remarked that such things were also said by political leaders every day. The court wondered if it should take action against all the political leaders.
“Many programs were held against the court, should we start proceedings against them? Can a mere statement make an impact on a public office holder?” Athar Minallah queried.
Read more: Justice Athar Minallah directs anchor Sami Ibrahim to record statement with FIA
The FIA deputy director said the anchorperson raised question on why the chief justice of Pakistan had opened the court on the night of no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan. The court said everyone knew why the court was opened at night.
“The CJP and these courts have stood by the constitution,” the court remarked.
The IHC CJ said people daily talked on social media , so will the court take action every day. “No institution, no public office holder is weak enough to be afraid of anyone. Institutions do not need FIRs to save their faces,” he said.
The FIA relayed that the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) had requested the FIA to withdraw the notice. The court should see the transcript of his video, FIA prosecutor Khawaja Imtiaz said.
“Let’s assume, Sami Ibrahim did not respect the institutions, but tell me, what is the crime?” the court inquired adding that the FIA could only look at it legally.
Athar Minallah said so far, the FIA had not been able to satisfy the court about the crime committed by Sami Ibrahim. He said the court respected the institutions. The court wanted the institutions to do their work within their jurisdiction, he said. He asked what Sami Ibrahim said that scared the institutions.
“Is any public office holder so weak that they are scared of his video?” he wondered adding that people talked a lot even about the court every day.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said institutions earned respect for their role and they did not need your FIR.
“What did Sami Ibrahim do? His statement does not spoil anyone’s reputation,” Athar Minallah said adding that journalists should speak according to journalistic values.
“Now it is FIA’s test to satisfy the court on what crime Sami Ibrahim has committed,” the court remarked adjourning the case till September 20.
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