ISLAMABAD, May 23: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman on Wednesday issued notices to secretary interior, director general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), project director National Response Center for Cyber Crime, and secretary Establishment Division in a petition filed by a sacked FIA forensic expert seeking his reinstatement.

Petitioner Mohammad Sarfraz, through his counsel Hafiz Arafat, approached the court against his dismissal through an order issued on January 6, 2012.

He adopted before the court that the authorities terminated him from service without assigning any reason or giving any opportunity of hearing.

Sarfraz has been working as regional coordinator with the cyber crime centre since March 24, 2008.

The cyber crime centre is one of the special projects of the FIA that was established for investigation of high-tech and sophisticated electronic crimes and prosecution of cyber criminals, the counsel for the petitioner said adding besides, it is also responsible for the enforcement of relevant laws to combat computer crime and protect consumers and internet users.

According to the counsel, the original employment contract of the petitioner, given on March 24, 2008, was extended for a year on June 30, 2009 and the authorities concerned kept on renewing on yearly basis till August 4, 2011.

He told the court that the respondents, ministry of interior and FIA authorities, had sought NOC from the Establishment Division for recruitment of another 102 employees for the centre, which was granted on January 05, 2011 whereas his client, who, according to their own documents, was playing leading role in many cases and his performance was so exceptional that they recommended him for ‘Tamgha-e-Imtiaz’, has been disgracefully terminated from the service.

The court after preliminary hearing directed the respondents to file their reply in a fortnight.— A Reporter