The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected a petition seeking the dismissal of an FIR registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against Rana Saeed Khan, the former Chairperson of the Wildlife Management Board. The decision marks yet another legal setback for the former official, who has been facing allegations of corruption and misuse of authority during her tenure.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided over the hearing and dismissed the request to quash the case. The petition had been filed through her counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, who argued that the FIA’s case was baseless and should be struck down. However, the court maintained that the proceedings must continue and stated that a detailed written order, outlining the reasons for the rejection, will be issued later.
This is not the first time an attempt to halt the proceedings has been denied. The same IHC bench had earlier dismissed Rana Saeed’s petition seeking to stop the FIA from conducting an inquiry. On 3 November 2025, Justice Azam Khan ruled that the ongoing investigation could move forward and that the court would not intervene at that stage.
Rana Saeed had also approached the court to prevent the FIA from allegedly harassing her. However, the registrar’s office upheld its objections, questioning how her application—aimed at stopping harassment and requesting the return of her mobile phone—could simultaneously ask for protective measures such as immunity from arrest or bail-type relief. The office maintained that such mixed requests were procedurally inappropriate.
According to FIA officials, a formal inquiry led to the registration of a criminal case against the former chairperson. The charges include alleged corruption and misuse of official powers, which reportedly caused financial loss to the national exchequer. The investigation centers on decisions and expenditures made during her time as head of the Wildlife Management Board.
With the High Court again refusing to halt proceedings, the case will now continue under FIA supervision. The agency is expected to proceed with evidence collection and further inquiries related to the alleged financial irregularities.
The court’s decisions reflect a broader trend of judicial support for accountability processes, especially in cases involving public office holders. While the former chairperson denies the allegations, the continuation of the case indicates that the matter will likely move toward trial unless new evidence emerges in her favor.
