‘Illegal’ seizure of cash, vehicles: Order for probe against FIA officials upheld by LHC

The Lahore High Court has upheld an order for an inquiry into the actions of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Faisalabad officials accused of unlawfully seizing cash and vehicles from a Pakistani-British national during his custody. The court, led by Justice Jawad Zafar, dismissed a petition filed by Akmal Hussain, seeking to end the inquiry against officials including Composite Circle Director Saqib Sultan and Sub-Inspector Ajmal Hussain.

Advocate Mian Dawood, representing Pakistani-British citizen Salman Babar, presented the case to the court. Dawood alleged that Babar, who returned to Pakistan after a 16-year absence, was targeted by rivals due to a family dispute in the UK. He claimed that the rivals bribed the FIA officials in Faisalabad, with one of them, Akmal Hussain, acting as a proxy complainant.

According to Dawood, the officials summoned Babar, his brother, and relatives to the FIA police station, forcing the British citizen to transfer Rs1 million to a rival's bank account while in custody. The advocate also alleged that the officials obtained stamp papers and prepared documents in favor of the proxy complainant. Babar subsequently sought legal action to cancel the documents and demanded action from a justice of the peace against the FIA officials.

Dawood pointed out that the FIA officials grew upset by the legal proceedings, leading to the filing of a fabricated case of visa fraud, totaling £104,000, against Babar and his brother. However, Dawood argued that Hussain failed to provide any evidence of the alleged transfer or financial capability to make such a payment. The justice of peace, Faisalabad, subsequently ordered an inquiry into the FIA officials.

Dawood contended that the justice of peace lacked the jurisdiction to pass the impugned order for inquiry, as it had ignored official reports on the matter. The court, however, dismissed the petition and upheld the order for the inquiry, expressing concern over the conduct of the FIA officials, fearing it might undermine public trust in state institutions.