Court angry over offloading citizens, seeks legal authority from FIA

SOPs are not law, we have to implement law, Islamabad High Court

Islamabad: Court expressed anger over offloading citizens and sought legal authority from FIA.

Islamabad High Court, expressing strong anger over FIA making SOPs on its own in matter of offloading citizens, sought assistance on legal authority regarding offloading and stopping citizens on next hearing.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas heard petition of citizen Sajid. On court summons, FIA Additional Director Zunaira and Deputy Director Afzal Niazi appeared in court.

A 1975 letter was presented in court by FIA, on which court remarked that there is nothing in this letter that you can offload citizens. FIA officials said that such actions are taken under SOPs.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas remarked that SOPs are not law, we have to implement law. If so, then every institution will start working on SOPs instead of law.

Deputy Director FIA Afzal Niazi told court that 45,850 people have come to Pakistan after being deported, while 39,095 people who went from Pakistan on visit visa did not return.

FIA officer said that more than 1,100 people are involved in begging abroad. Court inquired whether these people also went abroad after FIA clearance?

Justice Inam Amin Minhas remarked that if FIA did not have any legal authority, recommendation could have been made to make law, fundamental rights cannot be ended by changing law on its own.

Court remarked that you are an agency of Pakistan wearing uniform but apparently working against law. Does FIA have authority to offload a citizen on basis that he will go abroad and do such work?

Justice Inam Amin Minhas said that if these SOPs are so important then get amendment for them. If FIA starts working on SOPs then other institutions will also do same.

Court raised question that in such case what will happen to fundamental rights and if SOPs of institutions start making decisions then what will be left for courts to do?

Islamabad High Court directed FIA officials to tell about relevant law, not SOPs, on next hearing and appear in court with full preparation. Later hearing of case was adjourned.