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Tag: IHC

  • Is Pakistan’s spy agency allegedly interfering in legal matters?

    Is Pakistan’s spy agency allegedly interfering in legal matters?

    Calls to investigate the ‘Islamabad High Court (IHC) letter to Supreme Judicial Council’ gain ground as the bar associations of Sindh, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and many senior legal experts express concern.

    Why? Earlier, six judges of the IHC penned a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa expressing worry over alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial matters.

    The Sindh High Court Bar Association released a statement which said, “Interference in the affairs of the judiciary is tantamount to attacking the judicial system.”

    Similarly, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association condemned the alleged interference and reaffirmed its faith in the importance of autonomy of judiciary. “Public confidence in the justice system is linked to the independence and autonomy of the judiciary,” the bar said.

    Furthermore, Lahore Bar Association also expressed concerns and said, “Action should be taken against those who violate the constitution and law.” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council also released a statement, “Interference in judicial matters is condemnable.”

    Meanwhile, the veteran legal expert and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Hamid Khan, commended the six judges for taking this ‘daring initiative’. He also said that this matter is significant and should be investigated in a judicial commission.

  • IHC grants permission to PTI for rally in Islamabad

    IHC grants permission to PTI for rally in Islamabad

    The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday directed the administration authorities of the capital city to allow Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to conduct a rally.

    Previously, district authorities denied permission to PTI for staging a protest against alleged poll-rigging in the general elections 2024 in Islamabad citing security risks.

    “One’s right of assembly cannot be taken away,” IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said while hearing PTI’s petition seeking the court’s permission for staging the rally. The justice emphasized that public gatherings are for everyone and it should not come under any restrictions.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad had warned PTI to avoid public gathering without getting a formal approval from relevant authorities.

    Furthermore, according to PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat, the party has moved up the date for holding the rally to April 6.

  • PTI denied permission for protest on March 30

    PTI denied permission for protest on March 30

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been denied permission by district authorities to hold a protest on March 30 in Islamabad. The party had reached out to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to get permission for holding a rally on March 30 after the district administration of Islamabad did not respond to the party’s request. However, the capital’s administration on Sunday finally refused to allow PTI to hold a public rally against alleged poll rigging in 2024 general elections, citing security concerns.

    The reply from the administration came after the deadline given to them by the IHC to take a decision on PTI’s request to stage a protest in the capital city.

    PTI’s regional president Aaamir Masood Mughal opined that his party would again approach the courts. “If you can’t provide security even in the capital, then you have no right to stay in the government,” he added.

    PTI also planned to hold a press briefing about the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) package, its consequences on the public and the economy on March 25.

  • SC declares dismissal of former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui unlawful.

    SC declares dismissal of former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui unlawful.

    The Supreme Court on Friday ruled the dismissal of former Islamabad High Court (IHC) senior judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as illegal, issuing directions that he may now be considered a retired judge.

    The decision was announced by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat. The bench had reserved the verdict on Aziz’s plea in January this year.

    In his petition, the former judge challenged the decision of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) removing him from office and an Oct 11, 2018 notification because of which he was dismissed for a controversial speech he had delivered at Rawalpindi Bar Association.

    In his speech, Aziz blamed the country’s premier spy agency ISI of illegally using their influence to manipulate the court proceedings and forming their choice of benches in cases related to indictment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.

    However, since the court noticed that since the former judge had attained the age of 62 years, he would not be able to resume his previous service as a judge. “Consequently, Justice Siddiqui shall be deemed to have retired as a judge of the IHC and he will be entitled to receive all the benefits and privileges due to a retired judge, by allowing these petitions in the above term,” it stated.

  • PM Kakar appears before Islamabad High Court in Baloch missing students case

    PM Kakar appears before Islamabad High Court in Baloch missing students case

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday in a case related to the recovery of Baloch missing students.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC heard the case related to Baloch missing students when PM, Anwarul Haq Kakar appeared before the court after skipping the last two hearings.

    During the last hearing, the IHC had instructed the caretaker prime minister, ministers, and secretaries to attend the next one. Additionally, they formed a three-member committee involving intelligence institutions to help find missing Baloch students.

    Apart from the caretaker prime minister, the interior secretary and caretaker federal Interior Minister Gohar Ijaz have also appeared in the high court.

  • If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser said on Wednesday that if the decision is made on merit, party founder Imran Khan will be the prime minister of Pakistan.

    While speaking to the media outside of Adiala jail, Rawalpinid, Qaiser said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has conducted the worst polls in the country’s history.

    “We still have hopes from the judicial system of Pakistan,” he remarked, adding that the party will continue its “legal struggle” against the people in power.

    The former speaker of the National Assembly (NA) also said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave him permission to meet Imran Khan, but jail authorities didn’t allow him to do so, instead asking him to come tomorrow.

  • Caretaker PM Kakar once again fails to appear in missing Baloch Students’ case

    Caretaker PM Kakar once again fails to appear in missing Baloch Students’ case

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar for the third time on Monday in the case of the missing Baloch students. The court’s orders came before adjourning today’s hearing until February 28.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, heading the bench, emphasized during the hearing that the caretaker prime minister should not perceive appearing in court as an insult.

    He urged PM Kakar to prioritize appearing before the court rather than attending to other commitments, stating, “No one is above the law here.”

    Expressing disappointment over PM Kakar’s absence, Justice Kayani reminded Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan of the prime minister’s previous failure to attend court proceedings. The judge also inquired about the whereabouts of other caretaker ministers and secretaries.

    The judge highlighted that today was the 24th hearing in the case.

    “The petition was filed in 2022 and a commission had been formed. It took us two years to recover our citizens who did not even have any criminal case registered against them.

    “There was no case against them — including any drug, murder, or theft case — let alone a terror case,” Justice Kayani noted. He observed that “no documents or information” was shared with the court in the past two years.

    Addressing AGP Awan, he said, “You had submitted an affidavit that no person would go missing after today. [Yet] a person is missing from Islamabad’s F-6 without a first information report against him.

    “The purpose of summoning the prime minister was to inquire why the state’s premier is failing in his duties,” the IHC judge said.

    Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani eventually appeared before the court, addressing some concerns raised during the hearing.

    Previously, Justice Kayani issued a written order summoning PM Kakar, along with the defense and interior ministers and their respective secretaries, to ensure their physical presence in today’s hearing.

    During the hearing, Justice Kayani highlighted the ongoing struggle to recover missing individuals in the country, particularly the unresolved case of the 12 missing Baloch students.

    He pressed the Attorney General for details regarding ongoing criminal cases and the responsibility of state institutions in enforced disappearances.

    Concerns were raised about the inability of successive governments to address the issue adequately. Justice Kayani proposed forming an inquiry committee comprising representatives from relevant institutions to investigate the matter thoroughly.

    The judge also criticized the notion of granting exemptions to certain institutions and emphasized the importance of accountability.

    This is the second time PM Kakar has been summoned by the IHC. Previously, he was called upon on November 22, 2023, in a case filed by Advocate Imaan Mazari, but was unable to attend as he was out of the country.

  • Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    In a message to the nation released from Adiala Jail, the Founder Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, talked passionately about the upcoming general elections, highlighting the significance of February 8 as a day that symbolizes the dichotomy between freedom and slavery.

    Expressing confidence in the resilience of the nation, Khan stated, “I believe that my people stand united with the cause of freedom. Through their votes, they will safeguard Pakistan’s liberty.”

    Drawing attention to electoral manipulation on February 8, the Chairman voiced concern that a faction seeks to shackle the nation in chains of slavery.

    He pointed out that under what he calls the London Plan, a certified criminal was brought back to the country unjustly, wreaking havoc on the judicial system and trampling on the principles of justice and the constitution.

    Khan emphasized that efforts to manipulate the electoral process and undermine the rule of law have jeopardized the nation’s democratic foundations.

    Khan lamented that despite snatching the ‘bat’ from PTI to accommodate rivals, worst rigging is happening.

    Acknowledging the resilience and courage displayed by mothers, sisters, daughters, and party workers in facing injustice, the Chairman pledged to defeat all criminals within the bounds of the law and constitution, with the support of Allah and the nation.

    From his jail cell, the Chairman asserted that, with the blessings of Allah and the support of the people, all these criminals would be defeated, maintaining the integrity of the legal system.

    He urged citizens to exercise their right to vote on February 8, endorsing the movement for governance by law, supremacy of the constitution, and the restoration of democracy.

    The former Premier cautioned against unconstitutional forces attempting to subjugate the nation, warning that if these anti-constitutional powers succeed on February 8, they will establish a regime of theft and plunge the country further into turmoil.

    He called upon the people to exercise their voting power on February 8, making a decisive choice between freedom and slavery.

    “I want every individual in the nation to prepare, cast their votes, and ensure the protection of their votes, securing Pakistan’s path to constitutional governance on February 8,” Khan said.

  • ‘Imran Khan was offered a two-third majority by Bajwa to end protests in August 2022’, Aleema Khan

    ‘Imran Khan was offered a two-third majority by Bajwa to end protests in August 2022’, Aleema Khan

    Aleema Khan, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan disclosed on Wednesday that her brother had once previously, received a message from the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    The message reportedly offered a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to Imran’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), if he agreed to end the nationwide protest he initiated after his ouster from the Prime Minister’s Office.

    PTI USA’s official account on X (former Twitter) posted, “In August 2022, General Bajwa, who was the COAS at the time, asked Imran Khan that if he stops talking about the conspiracy of regime change operation, which overthrew Khan’s government in April 2022, then PTI will be “allowed” to form a majority government in the upcoming elections. However, if Imran Khan doesn’t agree to stay quiet, then PTI will be reduced to only 30 seats.”

    Imran Khan launched a countrywide protest in April 2023, becoming the first prime minister in Pakistan’s history to be removed through a no-confidence vote.

    Despite governing the country for over three-and-a-half years, PTI faced challenges as allies defected, aligning with opposition parties that collectively sought to overthrow the PTI government.

    The former PTI chief had previously asserted that the conspiracy against his government originated within Pakistan, a departure from his earlier stance in which he had blamed the United States for his removal.

    During a media interaction after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan shared the details of the alleged offer. She quoted her brother, saying, “In August 2022, General Bajwa approached me with an offer that if PTI ceased protests against regime change, a two-thirds majority for the party would be ensured in the National Assembly.”

    Imran Khan, according to Aleema Khan, expressed his unwavering commitment to principles, stating, “Our parents were born in a slave country; we are free, and I will not bow before anyone except God. We should face death than to accept slavery in a free country.”

    Aleema Khan also shed light on the challenges Imran faces in jail. She criticized the lack of an open trial in Adiala Jail, asserting that the cases against Imran Khan lacked substance. She further claimed that new cases are being brought up whenever he secures bail in an old case, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the former prime minister incarcerated.

  • No more NAB cases against Sharif Family

    No more NAB cases against Sharif Family

    National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Executive Board, chaired by the NAB Chairman, approved the closing of an investigation into the Sharif Trust case involving Sharif’s family including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    The meeting convened on January 1 to approve the closure of corruption cases, including those against PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his family.

    The meeting approved shutting down six corruption cases, notably a 24-year-old case against Nawaz Sharif and his family in the Sharif Trust case. This decision brings relief to the former premier and his family members.

    Among the closed cases was an inquiry into Islamabad Inspector General Akbar Nasir in the Safe City corruption case. Additionally, the board decided to conclude the investigation into the Park Enclave Housing Society, involving officers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Another inquiry against federal officers for alleged preferential recruitment was also approved for closure.

    Furthermore, the NAB board approved to close an inquiry against Shahid Malik and Shahbaz Yasin Malik, the CEO of Hilton Pharma.

    The investigation into the Sharif family regarding the Sharif Trust Case was initiated on March 31, 2000, based on allegations of receiving funds through illicit means, lack of audits, misappropriation of funds, and benami property acquisition by the Sharif family in the name of the Trust.

    The Panama Papers Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report, submitted to the Supreme Court, had criticized NAB for delays in the investigation and urged prioritization.

    Under the recently amended National Accountability Act 2002 by the previous PDM government, the NAB has concluded the Sharif Trust investigation under Section 31-B.

    This decision by the NAB’s Executive Board marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against the Sharif family, as they receive a respite from multiple longstanding corruption cases.