Zia Chishti Assaulted in Islamabad High Court, Police Inactive

Pakistani-American technology entrepreneur Zia Chishti has alleged that he was physically assaulted inside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on August 7, 2025. Chishti, who is the founder of the multinational artificial intelligence company Afiniti, said the incident took place following court proceedings connected to his ongoing legal disputes over control of The Resource Group (TRG) Pakistan Limited, which is listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

According to a report by Geo.tv, Chishti claimed that two lawyers, Zafir (Zaafir) Tareen and Mustafa Ramday, attacked him within the court premises. He said that a video recorded at the scene shows one individual placing him in a chokehold from behind while another confronted him face-to-face and pushed him. A short video of the altercation has circulated on social media and was reported by multiple Pakistani news outlets. The authenticity of the video has not yet been confirmed by court authorities, and no official statement from the Islamabad High Court has been issued.

Mustafa Ramday, a senior lawyer, has denied involvement in the assault. He told Geo.tv that the dispute began when there was an objection to a photograph being taken without permission during court proceedings, which then escalated. A source associated with TRG stated that the incident was not related to company actions and was instead a dispute between legal representatives. TRG has not released a formal public statement.

Chishti further alleged that the Islamabad police refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite the video evidence. He claimed that officers cited pressure from influential figures as the reason. These statements have not been confirmed by the Islamabad Police, which has yet to release an on-the-record comment about whether an FIR has been filed.

The incident comes amid a prolonged corporate battle over TRG Pakistan. On June 20, 2025, the Sindh High Court issued a ruling reported to be in Chishti’s favor in a dispute involving shareholder rights and corporate control. However, subsequent developments in the Supreme Court have included orders to maintain the status quo while appeals proceed, meaning the case remains unresolved.

The alleged assault has sparked concern among members of Pakistan’s technology and legal communities, many of whom have expressed outrage on social media. They argue that if the claims are proven true, the lack of immediate police action would raise serious questions about the rule of law and security within judicial institutions.

As of now, the key allegations — including the identification of the assailants and the refusal to register an FIR — remain unverified by official law enforcement or court records. The case has attracted significant public attention, and calls for accountability continue to grow as observers wait to see whether authorities will address the matter through formal investigation and legal action.