Justice Athar Minallah directs anchor Sami Ibrahim to record statement with FIA

• FIA said he attempted to incite the masses against state institutions.
• The IHC chief justice said the anchorperson’s statement did not amount to a crime.
• The journalist’s counsel argued that his client never disrespected the armed forces and constitution.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah on Friday directed senior anchorperson Bol news channel, Sami Ibrahim, to record his statement with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Athar Minallah issued the order while hearing the petition of Sami Ibrahim pertaining to harassment of journalists by the investigation agency.

Levelling allegations on the veteran journalist, the FIA said he attempted to incite the masses against state institutions. The agency’s lawyer said he tried to provoke Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa through his statements, therefore the FIA wanted to interrogate him.

The IHC chief justice said the anchorperson’s statement did not amount to a crime. He wondered that how the masses could be incited by him through mere statements.

Read more: IHC bars FIA from arrest of senior journalist Sami Ibrahim & others

Athar Minallah asked, “Whatever Sami Ibrahim said in a video can be in conflict with the journalistic ethics or values, but how can it become a crime?”

The FIA said Ibrahim did not show up to record his statement with them. Upon which, the justice directed him to record a statement with the FIA.

Whereas, the journalist’s counsel argued that his client never disrespected the armed forces and constitution. He said the Pakistan Federation Union of Journalists (PFUJ) should consult with the FIA officials.

The court has adjourned the hearing till June 21.

On May 23, the IHC had barred the FIA from arresting senior journalist Sami Ibrahim and others.

As per details, the IHC had heard the pleas filed by senior journalists Sami Ibrahim, Arshad Sharif in regard to the harassment by the FIA.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah had heard the case and barred the investigation agency from arresting the media men.

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