LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging a call-up notice issued by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the foreign funding case.

In a writ petition filed through Intizar Hussain Panjhuta, the former prime minister contended that the FIA had initiated an illegal inquiry with ulterior motive after a show-cause notice to the party raising objections regarding funds deposited in the personal bank accounts of the leaders/employees of the party.

He stated that the FIA issued him a call-up notice for appearance before an investigation team on Nov 7. He termed that the impugned notice unlawful, without jurisdiction and politically motivated.

The petition argued that the agency had no power to proceed in the matter, especially when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not even hold that any law had been violated in opening or operating the bank accounts in question. It submitted that the ECP never directed the FIA or any other agency to inquire into any aspect of the bank accounts.

It alleged the agency had been taking dictations from the federal government to probe into the matter.

The petition asked the court to quash the impugned notice and also declare that the FIA inquiry illegal and without lawful authority.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa will hear the petition on Monday (tomorrow).

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2022