FIA vacates Axact offices, hands them back to BOL management committee
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 4 June 2016
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The FIA has returned Axact's Karachi offices to the BOL management committee after being ordered by the Supreme Court. This comes after extensive investigations and a prolonged occupation by the agency.Summary
ISLAMABAD - More than a year after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sealed and occupied the head offices of Axact in Karachi, they were finally vacated Saturday and handed back to the BOL management committee following a Supreme Court order.
About a month ago, the Supreme Court ordered FIA to complete their investigations and vacate the premises by June 5. The court admonished FIA’s investigation officer and said Axact’s offices were not constructed to serve as agency’s living quarters.
Axact, an IT company is the parent organization of BOL News, a channel widely believed to have been victimized by the government in connivance with some big media houses.
Meanwhile, a Sessions Court in Karachi Saturday reserved a decision until June 9 on a bail application of Axact CEO Shoaib Shaikh and four others.
A bail application was moved a few days ago.
In May 2015, a New York Times story claimed that Axact was involved in selling fake degrees and diplomas. The authorities in Pakistan sprang into action so quickly it surprised all and sundry. The Axact offices were sealed and subsequently Shaikh and a few of his key men were arrested. They continue to languish in jail.
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KEY POINTS:
- FIA vacated Axact offices in Karachi after over a year.
- Supreme Court ordered FIA to complete investigations and vacate by June 5.
- Axact is the parent company of BOL News and faced accusations of selling fake degrees.
- Shoaib Shaikh, Axact CEO, remains in jail pending bail decisions.
- Court proceedings continue with regards to Axact's legal issues.
