Islamabad: (RightNow) The Islamabad High Court has expressed displeasure over the FIA’s self-made SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for offloading citizens. The court has demanded the FIA clarify its legal authority in the next hearing.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petition filed by citizen Sajid, where FIA’s Additional Director Zunaira and Deputy Director Afzal Niazi appeared. The FIA presented a 1975 letter, which the court noted did not grant any offloading authority.

The court questioned the FIA officer about whether the clearance for citizens traveling abroad was conducted by the FIA. The court instructed that legal authority, not SOPs, should be presented in the next hearing.

The court remarked that if SOPs are so crucial, they should be amended; otherwise, the law should be followed. The court questioned the role of courts if institutions start making decisions based on SOPs.

It is noteworthy that the FIA faces allegations of illegally offloading citizens, prompting the court to seek a legal explanation from the agency.