IHC directs FIA to remove Shahbaz Gill, Shahzad Akbar’s names from no-fly list

IHC directs FIA to remove Shahbaz Gill, Shahzad Akbar’s names from no-fly list

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of names of former premier Imran Khan’s key aides Shahbaz Gill and Shahzad Akbar from no fly-list.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued ruling on petitions filed by the two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders against the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) move to place their names on the on the 'stop list'.

The IHC also ordered the FIA and other relevant departments not to harass the two PTI members.
At the outset of the hearing, the FIA told the court that the names of both petitioners were added to the stop list by immigration authorities as inquiries related to assets beyond means are pending against them.

The court said that it is observing the conduct of FIA for two years and raised questions over the law related to stop list.

After ordering for removal of their names, the court has summoned a report from the Ministry of Interior and adjourned hearing till Monday.

Earlier this week, the FIA placed six key members of the former PTI government on the list, including adviser to PM on accountability Shahzad Akbar, special assistant on political communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, focal person on digital media Dr Arsalan Khalid, principal secretary Azam Khan, Punjab’s anti-corruption director general Gohar Nafees, and FIA Punjab zone’s director general Mohammad Rizwan.