Lahore court directs FIA to lodge an FIR against Babar Azam

Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam could be under serious trouble as a Lahore court has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to file a case against Azam on charges of blackmail and harassment, reported Cricinfo. Ahead of Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand earlier this year, Hamiza Mukhtar accused Babar Azam and two other people of harassment and exploitation. The court directed the police to investigate the matter. The case, however, was never registered. 

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Mukhtar then filed a complaint with FIA saying that she has been receiving threatening phone calls and messages from unidentified people. On investigation, the agency found that one of the numbers that Hamiza was referring to was registered on the name of Babar Azam - who they refer to as Muhammad Babar. Azam was summoned by the FIA but he didn’t appear. Instead, his brother Faisal Azam requested for more time.

In their report, the FIA concluded “ "This shows guilty form his part." Further, Judge Hamid Hasan directed the FIA to lodge an FIR against the culprits. Azam’s family, however, maintained a stand that they did not receive the FIA summons. ESPNcricinfo reported they will once again approach the Lahore High Court.

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