Show-cause to IO in Alvi case
The Sindh High Court's (SHC) constitutional bench on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the investigating officer (IO) for failing to submit a response in a case regarding the freezing of former president Dr Arif Alvi's bank accounts.
A constitutional bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, expressed displeasure over the IO's repeated absence and directed the officer to appear at the next hearing on June 25 and explain the delay.
The court adjourned proceedings until June 25, issuing a show-cause notice for non-compliance.
The bench was hearing a petition filed against the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the former president. At the previous hearing, the court had allowed the withdrawal of up to Rs1 million from the frozen account for meeting daily expenses.
Representing Dr Alvi, Barrister Ali Tahir argued that the bank accounts of the former president, his wife and their children had all been frozen.
"Based on an inquiry, the FIA froze the entire family's bank accounts," Tahir said, adding that the action had severely impacted their ability to meet day-to-day expenses.
He further informed the court that the family had learned of an ongoing inquiry into alleged money laundering, but had not been provided any formal documentation regarding the case.
"These inquiries appear to be politically motivated," the counsel said. "The former president is being punished for his political affiliations."
Barrister Ali Tahir also told the court that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had issued undated letters to private banks ordering the freeze under Section 25 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, and Section 5 of the FIA Act 1974.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
NA erupts into chaos over Bilawal's speech
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly erupted into chaos on Monday as political tempers flared into an all-out brawl, triggered by a blistering speech from Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The flamboyant PPP leader, a pivotal ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), unleashed a relentless verbal assault on jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan – igniting a political firestorm in the House. Bilawal lambasted Khan's 2019 handling of India-Pakistan tensions, dismissing his response as mere posturing amid a real threat. 'When India struck, what did Imran do? Rename Kashmir Highway to Srinagar Highway,' Bilawal taunted. 'Meanwhile, we downed six Indian fighter jets including three French Rafales. Imran's action was praying after Jumma and we were the ones who walked the talk.' PTI lawmakers exploded in outrage, chanting anti-Zardari and anti-Sharif slogans that drowned out attempts by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to speak. Treasury members formed a human shield around Aurangzeb's seat, fending off the hostile opposition. The scene worsened as the Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and opposition MPs came to blows, forcing Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's futile calls for order to be backed by security personnel. PTI accused the NA Speaker's security detail of bias, comparing them to 'Gullu Butt,' the infamous PML-N loyalist linked to political violence. Verbal attacks soon turned deeply personal. PTI's Nisar Jutt accused Bilawal of squandering public funds on lavish US trips purportedly to 'improve Pakistan's image' post Pakistan-India conflict. Karachi-based PPP lawmaker Agha Rafiullah took offence at Jutt's insulting retort and below the belt remark, nearly sparking a fistfight before colleagues intervened. With the assembly in turmoil, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah suspended proceedings for nearly an hour, allowing cooler heads to regain control. At the onset, the Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub also delivered a scathing critique, accusing PPP of shifting loyalties: 'They don't know if they want to sit with government or opposition.' He branded the budget 'dead on arrival,' blaming Asif Zardari for neglecting Sindh and bungling the Cholistan Canal project. On the economic front, Ayub warned of a dangerous spiral: 'Rising imports will weaken the rupee, balloon interest payments, and worsen the deficit.' He also took a geopolitical swipe, noting, 'First Israel attacked Iran, now the US. World oil reserves only last 14 days. On the day Israel struck, I said watch those reserves.' Finally, Ayub demanded the government reconsider its controversial nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that Trump's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites disqualify him from any peace accolade. 'This government must rethink nominating Trump for the Nobel,' he insisted. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Billboards pose risk as storm season nears
A constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Government of Sindh, the Director General of SBCA (Sindh Building Control Authority), and others on a petition filed against the installation of billboards. The petition, filed by Altaf Shakoor was presented by the petitioner's counsel, Khurram Lakhani Advocate. He argued that despite a clear ruling by the Supreme Court, illegal billboards have been installed throughout the city. With the monsoon season approaching, these billboards pose a serious threat and could lead to major accidents. In some cases, billboards have even been installed on people's homes without their consent. Taking notice of the concerns, the bench issued formal notices to the concerned authorities. The court remarked that the petition would be heard in detail immediately after the judicial vacation. Protection ordered The SHC has ordered protection for a couple who embraced Islam and married of their own free will. The court heard a petition filed by Zainab and her husband Shabbir, who approached the court against harassment. The couple's lawyer stated that Zainab willingly converted to Islam and married Shabbir Ahmed by choice. However, her family has been harassing them by lodging complaints at multiple police stations against Shabbir. They are reportedly issuing threats of honour killing (Karo Kari). The petitioner requested the court to stop the police from registering further cases against them and dismiss the existing complaints.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Show-cause to IO in Alvi case
The Sindh High Court's (SHC) constitutional bench on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the investigating officer (IO) for failing to submit a response in a case regarding the freezing of former president Dr Arif Alvi's bank accounts. A constitutional bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, expressed displeasure over the IO's repeated absence and directed the officer to appear at the next hearing on June 25 and explain the delay. The court adjourned proceedings until June 25, issuing a show-cause notice for non-compliance. The bench was hearing a petition filed against the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the former president. At the previous hearing, the court had allowed the withdrawal of up to Rs1 million from the frozen account for meeting daily expenses. Representing Dr Alvi, Barrister Ali Tahir argued that the bank accounts of the former president, his wife and their children had all been frozen. "Based on an inquiry, the FIA froze the entire family's bank accounts," Tahir said, adding that the action had severely impacted their ability to meet day-to-day expenses. He further informed the court that the family had learned of an ongoing inquiry into alleged money laundering, but had not been provided any formal documentation regarding the case. "These inquiries appear to be politically motivated," the counsel said. "The former president is being punished for his political affiliations." Barrister Ali Tahir also told the court that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had issued undated letters to private banks ordering the freeze under Section 25 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, and Section 5 of the FIA Act 1974.
