Judge’s social media posts: FIA summons PTI chief’s lawyer

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) served summon on lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha to record his statement in an inquiry related to alleged Facebook posts of judge Humayun Dilawar who heard the Toshakhana case against PTI chairman Imran Khan.

Additional district and sessions judge Humayun Dilawar sentenced the PTI chief to three years in imprison in the Toshakhana case and called for his immediate arrest. The PTI chairman was swiftly arrested from his residence in Lahore and shifted to Attock.

The investigation agency has summoned Naeem Haider Panjutha on August 8 (today) to record his statement in an inquiry related to alleged social media posts of the judge.

The notice stated that an inquiry has been initiated against PTI chief’s lawyer on direction of Islamabad High Court (IHC). “In case of non-appearance, it will be assumed that you have nothing to present or state in your defence,” the notice stated.

The PTI  has alleged that judge Humayun Dilawar has a biased and prejudice against chairman Imran Khan which was evident from the social media posts.

The PTI chief even filed a petition on the maintainability of the criminal proceedings in the case. He had urged the high court to shift the case to another court but the high court dismissed the petition.

The Islamabad High Court had turned down the plea to transfer the case to another court, while the Supreme Court of Pakistan also dismissed a petition to halt case proceedings.

During a previous hearing, PTI chief counsel Barrister Gohar said a Facebook account in the judge’s name published posts against the former prime minister which shows bias in the case. The additional sessions judge confirmed presence of his Facebook account but refuted publishing any such posts.

During the hearing, the judge asked if forensic analysis should be conducted of the social media posts. He asked if the lawyer saw the posts on his Facebook account.

Barrister Gohar replied that he saw them on his account before they were locked. He also presented pictures to the court saying that disparaging remarks were made against the PTI chief.  The judge asked to present the pictures to a relevant for verification.

On July 8, Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Court (West) Judge Humayun Dilawar announced starting criminal proceedings against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case after rejecting the PTI chief’s plea against maintainability of a complaint filed by the ECP.