Author: News Desk

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has forwarded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s letter to the constitutional committee, saying that the request pertained to Article 184(3) of the Constitution and is to be handled by the constitutional bench.

Last month, Khan wrote a lengthy 349-page letter to the CJP and Justice Aminuddin, addressing issues related to human rights violations, alleged electoral fraud and the arrests of party workers. Article 184 (3) of the Constitution gives SC the power to take on cases involving fundamental rights violations and issues of public importance.

“I have asked the committee to review the letter and make a decision,” reports quoted the apex court judge as saying in conversation with journalists after an hour-long meeting with a six-member delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Earlier, the CJP briefed the IMF delegation at the Supreme Court (SC) on the country’s judicial system and ongoing reforms. The discussion, reports said, also included matters pertaining to the appointment of judges and constitutional amendments that have been dubbed as “controversial” by the opposition and certain lawyer groups.

The top judge told media persons that he informed the IMF delegation of the judiciary’s independent operations under the Constitution, and clarified that it was not the judiciary’s mandate to provide the IMF with all the details they had asked for.

“I informed the delegation about the agenda of the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC). The supervision of subordinate courts falls under the jurisdiction of high courts. The delegation expressed interest in Pakistan’s adherence to agreements and property rights, to which I responded that reforms were underway,” reports quoted CJP Afridi as saying.

The top judge said that the delegation provided suggestions regarding the protection of property rights, to which he assured them that the country would consider their recommendations. “They were also informed that special benches would be formed in high courts to expedite hearings.” 

On controversy surrounding the judicial commission’s proceedings, CJP Afridi said that he had already expressed his opinion in the meeting and acknowledged that judicial review could be applied to his stance.

“Had there been no boycott yesterday, another competent judge could have been appointed to the Supreme Court,” he said in reference to the boycott by PTI members as well as two judges of the SC amid isolated lawyers’ protests.

“I expect the agenda for the National Judicial Committee to be finalised by tomorrow,” reports quoted him as saying, adding that the opposition leader had also been asked for suggestions.

To a question about alleged cracks within the judiciary, the CJP said that previous practices among judges persisted, and it would take time for them to change.

“Everything will gradually be set right,” he said and highlighted recent changes within the JCP. “Any member can now propose a name for consideration. Excellent judges are being brought in.”

Incarcerated former premier Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry took a witty jab at talk show host Kamran Shahid for using the word “system” to refer to the establishment. 

During the talk show, the TV host said, “You [PTI leadership] seem helpless, and the system looks strong.” In reply, Chaudhry mocked Shahid by saying, “What is the ‘system’? Call it the establishment, which is involved in court packing.”

In reply, the TV host said, “Let’s say it in this manner: the establishment is looking strong (sic).”
Imran Khan’s counsel went on to tell Shahid that systems are meant for democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, which do not exist in Pakistan.

Stressing that the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment was against the judiciary, Chaudhry opined that clauses related to the judiciary were focused on dividing the courts.

The TV host asked why Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was unable to mobilise all lawyer’s associations for Monday’s protests against a controversial meeting of the Judicial Commission Pakistan (JCP) which took place yesterday. Chaudhry replied that a significant number of lawyers were present in the demonstration at the federal capital.

“They [lawyers] did not sit there but ended the protest [shortly]?” said Shahid. “[lawyers] were not present to engage in war but to protest. The protest did not intend to stage a sit-in there,” Chaudhry responded.

Lawyers on Monday had orchestrated a protest in Islamabad, demanding the JCP meeting scheduled on the same day be called off, no new judicial appointments be made till the case pertaining to the amendment is decided upon and the senior-most judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) be made its chief justice.

 
Six leading bar associations, including representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, Punjab Bar Council, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, Balochistan High Court Bar Association, and Sindh High Court Bar Association, have condemned the protests, saying that political groups within the legal community were attempting to advance their agendas.

 
Despite PTI lawmakers boycotting the JCP meeting and the lawyer’s protest at the federal capital, the JCP nominated six high court judges for elevation to the Supreme Court.

 
The judges elevated to the apex court include four high court chief justices: Hashim Khan Kakar of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui of the Sindh High Court (SHC), Ishtiaq Ibrahim of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), and Aamer Farooq of the IHC.

Additionally, SHC Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and PHC Justice Shakeel Ahmed were also nominated for elevation to the Supreme Court.

Amid social media claims that a police officer slapped a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) employee outside the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore, We News has revealed that the individual in plain clothes was not an employee of the cricket board but a Special Branch officer.

The incident came to light yesterday when a video showing a police officer slapping a person wearing plain clothes went viral online.

In the viral video, the plain clothed individual can be heard shouting in a heated argument with police officials. “Motorcycle lo iss ka (Take his motorbike),” a police officer says. “Ja raha hu main (I’m leaving now),” the plain cloth individual tells the police officer.

However, suddenly, the police official pulled the man and slapped him while using abusive words. A senior police officer can be heard calling the police official  “Adnan.” 

“Bann gaya tamasha, main keh raha hu ban gaya tamasha (A spectacle has been created. I’m saying a spectacle has been made),” the plain clothed individual said instantly, after being beaten by the SI.

The report reveals that the misunderstanding erupted when the special branch officer parked his motorcycle at a restricted place, leading to a heated debate with police officers. During the row, the police officer slapped the special branch officer in the face.

Model Town superintendent of police (SP), Akhlaq Ullah Tarar, while taking notice of the incident, directed Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Gulberg to present an inquiry report within 24 hours, media has stated. 

The video sparked outrage online after it went viral yesterday, with some internet users calling for action against the police officer, while others opined that the plainclothes men must follow security-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

“Sad, truly sad. A young police officer slapped the civilian. Are they not given proper training? How can such emotional and irrational officers provide security to the public,” a social media user asked on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user wrote that when an officer wearing a uniform beats a civilian in plain clothes, it is an insult to civilians. “Our tragedy is that we can never be civilized. Everyone is ready to cross every limit for power—no matter who they are or what the limit is,” said the third user.

“The plain clothed man was the one who behaved rudely first, disrespecting the police. Why was he acting so arrogantly and pushing the police officers,” asked another netizen.