Islamabad: The outstanding defender of Human Rights and former Senator Farhatullah Babar has presented a request for a court order in the Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) claiming that the conduct of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is “illegal, illegal, arbitrary and of bad faith.”
Babar, a three-period senator, Hilal-Imtiaz, and member of the Council of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP), highlights its defense of decades, including efforts to regulate intelligence agencies.
The petition seeks to cancel an anti -corruption investigation against him, describing it as a “fishing expedition” without foundation designed to harass a critic of state institutions.
The FIA anti -corruption circle (ACC) initiated an investigation based on a private complaint by Rawalpindi resident, Touseef Abbas.
Babar states that he did not receive accusations details, copies of complaints or legal base for investigation despite repeated applications.
The first notice of March 27, 2025 demanded its appearance within 24 hours without specifying charges.
A 12 -point questionnaire dated March 28 was sent through WhatsApp on April 11, with a response deadline of April 7 (4 days before reception).
Babar, who held a public office in 2013 as a presidential spokesman, affirms that FIA’s actions point to his defense of human rights. He cites a 2023 UN report that documents threats against him linked to an alleged ‘list of murders’.
The petition argues that the FIA violated the due process of law provided in articles 4, 10, 19, 25 of the Constitution by denying access to accusations.
The petition asked the court to annul the investigation and all related notices and requested the address to the FIA to reveal accusations, documents and legal basis for the investigation.
He also prayed that the FIA can stop to arrest or harass Babar pending the result of the petition.
IHC judge, Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, will listen to the petition on Thursday (today).
Posted in Dawn, June 12, 2025
