Foreign funding case: PHC extends status quo of Asad Qaiser

Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: A divisional bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising of Justice Abdul Shakoor and Justice Fazal Subhan extended status quo in foreign funding case former speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser against Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) inquiry till 13th September, on Wednesday.
The divisional bench further observed that if petitioner wants to address FIA comment he may can submit it before 13th September while Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Qaiser along with Additional Attorney General Amir Javeed and FIA’s representatives appeared before court.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan informed that petitioner has approached PHC against FIA inquiry in foreign funding case which is jurisdiction of Election Commission of Pakistan and added that FIA has issued call-up notice to PTI leader Asad Qaiser for maintaining two accounts.
The counsel argued that PHC has stopped FIA from further action and added that on Wednesday inquire about submission of reply by federal government but it’s didn’t submitted while AAG Amir Javeed argued that Asad Qaiser did not appearing while Barrister Gohar informed that writ is pending and court has granted status quo on previous hearing.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan further argued that petitioner has written two letters to Inquiry Officers on both notices requesting that if it is necessary then issue after next hearing is fixed at 31st August.
AAG argued that Asad Qaiser taking illegal benefit of status quo, however Justice Abdul Shakoor remarked that federation has made commitment on previous hearing that no action shall be sought against petitioner and inquired that how can be status quo will be withdrew at this stage. Moreover, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan informed that Asad Qaiser will appear before FIA next but petitioner has requested that if issuance of notice is necessary then issue at after 31st August before writ was pending before PHC and requested that everything shall dealt in accordance with law.
The counsel argued that petitioner has challenged jurisdiction of FIA and added that ECP is competent forum to decide matter of political parties while PHC has stopped FIA from action against PTI leader Asad Qaiser and adjourned further hearing till 13th September.