ISLAMABAD, June 04(ABC): The federal government has authorised Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to act as the Special Vetting Agency (SVA) for verifying and screening all public officials before they are inducted, posted, appointed, or promoted.
The notification No. F. No. 5/2021-CP-VI issued on June 2, 2022 stated: “In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Civil Servants Act 1973 (LXXI of 1973), read with Notification No. S.R.O 120(1)/1998, dated February 27, 1998, the Prime Minister is pleased to notify Directorate General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as Special Vetting Agency (SVA) for verification and screening of all public office holders (officers’ category) for induction, important postings/ appointments and promotions.”
LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Saturday told the Special Court (Central-I) that the agency wanted to arrest Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz in the Rs16 billion money laundering case filed against the father and son duo, Geo News reported.
During today’s hearing, FIA’s lawyer argued that the duo was “not part of the investigation”; however, Hamza’s counsel rejected the claims, accusing the agency of misleading the court as the “two had been a part of the investigations”.
In his arguments, the counsel for Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz, Mohammad Amjad Pervaiz said that the investigation has been going on for the last one-and-a-half year and the FIA has been unable to produce any evidence against his clients.
As Amjad Pervaiz started presenting his arguments for the confirmation of bail in the money laundering case, both the PML-N leaders left the court.
The counsel highlighted that the FIA interrogated the father-son duo when both of them were in jail.
The court had extended the interim bail of PM Shehbaz and Hamza till June 4 (today) on the last hearing and had directed Hamza’s lawyer to present his arguments today.
