IHC rejects bid to dismiss money laundering case against influencer Dr Fozila Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has rejected a petition seeking dismissal of a money laundering case involving social media personality and dermatologist Dr Fozila Abbasi, court documents and local media reports said.

The court also dismissed her request to extend pre-arrest bail, while authorities have formed teams to arrest her, according to media reports.

The case involves allegations of illegal transfer of funds abroad, including to the United States and Dubai, and transactions worth Rs2.5 billion ($8.9 million), investigators said.

A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probe reportedly found turnover across 22 bank accounts linked to Abbasi totalling Rs2.5 billion, while her declared annual income with tax authorities was between 400,000 and 6 million rupees.

An FIA official involved in the investigation said further evidence of possible money laundering had emerged, with the alleged amount exceeding 3 billion rupees, according to media reports.

The court directed investigators to continue their probe in accordance with the law and said proceedings under foreign exchange regulations would continue.

However, it ruled that proceedings under anti-money laundering laws were unlawful, citing procedural violations by the FIA, according to the court order.

The court also said any role of tax authorities in the case would be determined during the investigation.

Investigators were free to freeze or unfreeze accounts as required, and accounts would be de-frozen if the allegations were not proven, the court added.

Abbasi’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment, local media reported.

Dr. Abbasi, a dermatologist and the elder sister of actor Hamza Ali Abbasi, is a well-known social media figure in Pakistan and has often appeared on television shows.