Ex-Pemra chief seeks suspension of FIR
By Our Staff Reporter
2015-09-04
ISLAMABAD: The sacked chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed, on Thursday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking 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 that he could not issue such a 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 whichthe 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 BPS21. 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.
It further claimed that the FIA did not obtain permission from the authorities concerned which in this case would be the prime minister before registering the case.
The petition stated that according to the FIA rules, the petitioner had the right to respond to any allegation made against him with a written explanation within a fortnight. However, it stated that no such explanation was sought from the petitioner, and claimed that the case was registered to pressurise Rashid to withdraw a separate petition filed with the IHC against his sacking.
The petition cited the FIA`s director general, the FIA investigation officer, and the secretary for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as respondents.
