ISLAMABAD: The sacked chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed, on Thursday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seel(ing to preempt his arrest in a case registered against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

He was accused of releasing illegal payment to an advertising agency.

After hearing the petition, IHC Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi directed the FIA to submit a response to the court.

During the proceedings Waseem Sajjad, counsel for Rashid, argued that the FIR had no legal standing, and requested the court to direct the FIA not to arrest his client without the prior permission of the court.

Justice Qureshi stated thathecouldnotissuesucha directive without hearing the FIA`s response, and adjourned further proceedings until Friday.

Rashid previously challenged the registration of an FIR against him regarding his involvement in the release of payments to an advertising agency which the FIA has claimed was illegal.

Rashid contended that the case was registered against him during his tenure as a principal information officer (PIO) in the information ministry in BPS-21.

The petition stated that, `Under the rules of FIA, no inquiry can be conducted against an officer in BPS-21 nor can he be arrested without prior permission of the competent authority.