Babar Azam to face FIA investigation in harassment case

Pakistan Cricket team captain Babar Azam would face an investigation from the top investigating agency of Pakistan, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The FIA have been directed by a session court in Lahore to investigate the alleged charges of blackmail and harassment by a woman.

Hamza Mukhtar had filed the charges against the 26-year-old Pak skipper last year ahead of Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. In a press conference held in Lahore, Mukhtar alleged that Azam and his two other accomplices harassed and exploited her and the matter went to court. The court directed the police to investigate the case.

The case though was never registered by the court as Babar Azam obtained a stay order from the Lahore High court which allowed him to not appear before the court till March 22 as he was on National duties playing against South Africa at home turf and then once again playing in PSL thereafter.

However, when Mukhtar approached the federal agency, they observed that the threatening calls that Mukhtar received came from a number registered in Babar's name and hence concluded that it, "shows guilty form [sic] Babar’s part." Soon after this, Judge Hamid Hussain on Thursday directed the FIA "to proceed further with respect to registration of the FIR against the culprits within the stipulated time following legal formalities".

Azam's family though have denied receiving any summons from FIA and his lawyer has termed the order as unfair.

"The instant order has been passed without issuing a notice to Babar in violation of his fundamental rights of a fair trial as guaranteed in the constitution. The order is prima facie against the law and will be assailed soon," Azam's legal counsel Barrister Haris Azmat said.

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