ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad court has issued a written order on a petition seeking the registration of a case against former president Arif Alvi. Additional Sessions Judge Shafqat Shahbaz Raja, in his written judgment, stated that if any illegal act has been committed, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) must initiate proceedings in accordance with the law. The court has directed FIA to complete the required procedural action.
The petition was filed by Shahzad Adnan through his counsel Mudassar Chaudhry Advocate. The petitioner contended that Arif Alvi, during one of his speeches abroad, allegedly used derogatory and contemptuous language, warranting legal action. Despite an earlier application being submitted to FIA for registration of a case, no action was taken, prompting the petitioner to approach the court.
The petitioner urged the court to order registration of a case against the former president.
The controversy stems from remarks allegedly made by Arif Alvi in an overseas address, where he criticized state institutions in a manner his opponents claim undermined their sanctity.
Following the speech, complaints were lodged with FIA, accusing the former president of violating laws relating to incitement and contempt against state organs. However, the FIA did not register a case, citing procedural delays, which led to the matter being escalated to the judiciary.
Alvi, who served as Pakistan’s 13th president from 2018 to 2023, has often faced criticism from political opponents for his outspoken comments even after leaving office. This case adds to the legal pressures the PTI leadership is facing in the aftermath of Imran Khan’s imprisonment and ongoing trials against several senior leaders.
