News Desk
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the Federal Investigation Agency’s practice of blocking citizens’ passports, bank accounts and mobile accounts without clear legal justification, and has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of relevant officials.
In proceedings in Sindh High Court, the bench directed the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency to investigate the officers involved and complete the inquiry within three months.
The court observed that fundamental rights cannot be suspended merely on the basis of preliminary inquiries, and warned that citizens cannot be subjected to indefinite restrictions on financial activity or travel without due process.
During the hearing, Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon remarked that neither passports nor financial accounts can be arbitrarily restricted without lawful procedure, stressing the need for transparency in any action affecting basic rights.
The court also ordered that the officers under scrutiny should not be assigned operational duties until the inquiry is completed. It further directed that disciplinary action be taken if evidence of misuse of authority or mala fide intent is found.
Lawyers representing the petitioners argued that the Federal Investigation Agency had blocked passports, identity documents, bank accounts and mobile accounts without prior notice, causing severe disruption to their businesses.
Officials from the FIA, however, informed the court that no substantial criminal evidence had yet emerged in the ongoing inquiry. The court cautioned that any similar future action without legal compliance could lead to contempt proceedings.
