LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday suspended a call-up notice of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) issued to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the prohibited funding case.

Earlier, Advocate Intizar Hussain Panjhuta argued on behalf of Mr Khan that the FIA 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.

He said the ECP never directed the FIA or any other agency to inquire into any aspect of the bank accounts.

Justice Asjad Javed Ghural asked the counsel whether the federal government could ask the FIA to initiate an inquiry.

Advocate Panjhuta said the impugned notice issued by the agency did not disclose whether there was any direction from the federal government.

He argued that only the federal government and the ECP could take actions against the political parties.

He said the FIA summoned the petitioner in personal capacity, which was illegal.

The judge asked the counsel whether the petitioner owned the bank accounts mentioned by the agency.

The counsel said the petitioner’s party disowned 13 bank accounts, while owned only eight. He said there were no allegations that the funds received by the PTI were illegal or linked to any crime.

He asked the court to quash the impugned notice and also declare the FIA inquiry illegal and without lawful authority. The FIA had summoned the former prime minister for Nov 7.

After hearing the arguments, the judge suspended the impugned call-up notice and sought a reply from the FIA by Dec 7. The judge also directed the attorney general of Pakistan to assist the court in the matter on the next hearing.

The other day, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa had recused himself from hearing the petition of the PTI chief on personal reasons. Later, the chief justice marked the hearing of the petition to Justice Ghural.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2022