IHC grants bail to Dr Fazeela Abbasi in money laundering case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday restored interim bail to Dr Fazeela Abbasi in a money laundering case, setting a surety of Rs100,000 and directing her to approach the trial court for further proceedings.

The case was heard by a bench led by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan. During the hearing, Dr Fazeela Abbasi appeared in court with her lawyer, Naeem Bukhari, who argued that his client had consistently complied with court summons, except for one instance when she submitted a three-day medical certificate for her absence. Despite her previous compliance, her bail had been earlier revoked.

After reviewing the arguments, the court reinstated her interim bail, allowing her to continue with legal procedures at the trial court.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had filed the case against Dr Fazeela Abbasi, alleging discrepancies in her financial transactions. According to the FIA, Dr Abbasi’s 22 bank accounts reportedly showed a turnover of around Rs25 billion, while her declared annual income ranged between Rs400,000 and Rs600,000, raising suspicions of money laundering.

Dr Fazeela Abbasi’s brother, actor Hamza Ali Abbasi, has publicly clarified that he is not involved in his sister’s legal proceedings, distancing himself from the allegations.

The IHC’s decision provides temporary relief to Dr Fazeela Abbasi while the trial court examines the merits of the case in detail. Legal experts note that the court’s move allows the accused to prepare her defense while ensuring compliance with judicial protocols.