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Tag: Pakistan

  • Five suspects granted bail in two honour killing cases

    Five suspects granted bail in two honour killing cases

    Peshawar High Court has granted bail in two separate cases involving honor killings.

    The first case involved Swat resident, Akhtar Ali, suspected of being involved in the killing of his wife and another man over three months ago.

    The bail was granted by Justice Shahid Khan of a single-member bench, who directed the submission of two surety bonds of Rs200,000 each for Ali’s release.

    The incident, which took place on July 22, 2023, was initially reported at the Shaheedan Wenai police station in Swat under sections 302 and 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 15 of the Arms Act.

    The complainant in the FIR, station house officer of the police station, Mohammad Zaib Khan, claimed that he along with a police team went to the crime site after learning about the murder of a man and a woman and found out that the deceased were killed by the petitioner, who suspected that the two had an extramarital affair

    During the hearing, the bench noted that the case lacked substantial evidence against Ali.

    It added that the complainant in the case had neither disclosed the name of the person who informed him about the involvement of the petitioner nor did he produce any other “cogent and reliable information, which could prima facie spoke about the guilt or otherwise of the petitioner.”

    Lawyers Saeed Khan, Askar Khan, and Dunya Zeb, representing the petitioner, emphasized the absence of witnesses and evidence connecting Ali to the crime.

    They added that the murders took place at nighttime and that there was no evidence to connect the petitioner with the commission of the offense.

    Similarly, the court also granted bail to Habib Khan and his three sons – Talim Khan, Owais Khan, and Zarif Khan – from Lower Dir district.

    It accepted the joint bail petition of suspects on the condition of furnishing two surety bonds of Rs100,000 each.

    They were arrested on suspicion of the honor killing of Habib’s daughter-in-law, Nish Bibi, whose body was found at their residence on Sept 23, 2023.

    An FIR was lodged by the mother of the girl, who alleged mistreatment and torture by her husband and in-laws.

    The complainant claimed that her daughter was married to Dawood six years ago but she didn’t have kids and she often asked her husband for medical treatment.

    She claimed that for the same reason, relations between the couple were strained and that she was mistreated by her husband and in-laws and was also tortured by them.

    Legal counsel Shabbir Khan Daulatkhel defended the petitioners, maintaining that the prosecution’s case was founded on rumors, lacking any concrete evidence against the accused.

    The initial bail application of the petitioners was rejected on Oct 12, 2023, by an additional sessions judge in the Chakdara area of Lower Dir district.

  • Transgenders in Rajanpur get driving licences

    Transgenders in Rajanpur get driving licences

    Traffic Police of Rajanpur have issued Rickshaw and Motobike licences to the transgender community, paving the way for them to earn a respectable livelihood.

    Members of the transgender community were trained to ride motorcycles and rickshaws by police personnel before they were issued licences. It was a moment of joy for the community members as they were made fun of when they used to come for the training but upon receiving the licence, they can now claim a respectable job as drivers or even get a vehicle of their own.

    This is not the first such incident in Rajanpur but a continuation of the efforts carried out by the Punjab Police which is running multiple driving schools all across the Punjab. Seeing the success of the project the number of driving schools have been increased from 32 to 64.

    https://streamable.com/o28mzh

  • Superintendent Adiala jail served notice on creating hinderance for Imran Khan

    A notice has been served to the superintendent of Adiala Jail on November 6 for not allowing phone conversations between Imran Khan and his sons, as per Geo News.

    The legal counsel of Chairman PTI, Shiraz Ranjha, filed a petition in the Special Court of the Official Secrets Act.

    He alleged contempt of court on the part of the Adiala Jail superintendent for not allowing a phone conversation between Chairman PTI’s sons and their father.

    The petition claimed that despite court orders, the superintendent of Adiala Jail did not facilitate the conversation.

    The petition further requested that action be taken against the superintendent of Adiala Jail for not adhering to the court’s orders and that the jail authorities be directed to enable the phone conversation between Imran Khan and his sons.

    Justice Abual Hasanat heard the petition filed by Chairman PTI and issued a notice to the superintendent of Adiala Jail, demanding a response by November 8.

  • Political parties should take path of dialogue for better Pakistan, says Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

    Political parties should take path of dialogue for better Pakistan, says Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

    Former Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, called on all political parties and stakeholders to take a path of dialogue for the betterment of the country.

    The senior leader was speaking  on Nadir Gurmani’s show “Dusra Rukh” where he was also questioned about the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

    Responding to the question, the former NA speaker said, “I want to say that we have to look at the outcome of whatever has been happening. Even after 75 to 76 years, we have not been able to stand on our own feet. So we have to think about whether we remain stuck in the past or if there is something which we should take a step towards.” 

    Ashraf suggested moving forward by saying that there is not a lot of distance between the past and present.

    “I still think, and I have said so many times before […] to do consultation and sit everyone down [and] open a dialogue. Intra-political party dialogue should be opened,” he insisted.

    On the question of holding the former army chief accountable, the PPP leader said, “Okay, then keep on harping and whining about it. You won’t be able to move forward one inch. This practice is not right where after every two or three years you open an issue of the past. Nations which have progressed are forward-looking people.”

  • Fearing Taliban, Afghan singers go to Court against deportation

    Fearing persecution In Taliban’s Afghanistan, Afghan singers residing in Pakistan have filed a plea against the government’s deportation plan in Peshawar High Court. The three petitioners are Hashmatullah Omed, Rafi Hanif, and Hameed Shahdai, accompanied by a large number of Afghan singers and musicians who are claiming that they have lived in Pakistan for years as refugees.

    The bench at the PHC consists of Justice Abdul Shakoor and Justice Syed Arshad Ali. It directed the deputy attorney general Hazrat Said to file a reply on behalf of the federal government to the petition filed by the singers.

    The petitioners’ counsel, Mumtaz Ahmad, informed the court that almost four identical petitions had been filed before the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the forced repatriation of Afghans. He also suggested that it would be appropriate for the high court to wait for the outcome of those petitions in the top court and to decide the instant plea in light of that decision. The traditionally conservative Taliban government has inadvertently forced these artists to take refuge in Pakistan with their families like many others. They are registered by the UN refugee agency, given a token number, and their cases are under process. They requested the court to issue directives to the government to allow them to live unbothered with their refugee status in Pakistan.


    The same question was asked to Sarfraz Bugti, interim Interior Minister of Pakistan, to which he responded that such individuals need to opt for a proper procedure of asylum.


    The government, however, is in no mood to retract their decision. In a recent statement made by an official in an interview with the Tribune, it was reiterated that the aim is to repatriate all the illegal Afghans- almost 1.7 million in a year. Certain people will be allowed to stay in Pakistan before their settlement in USA, UK, and Canada only on the request made by these countries who have promised asylum to these Afghans. They have been informed by Pakistan to speed up the process.

  • He’s gone, but Supreme Court to decide death penalty case against Musharraf

    He’s gone, but Supreme Court to decide death penalty case against Musharraf

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan is set to begin hearing a series of appeals on November 10, including those filed by the late former President, retired General Pervez Musharraf, in an attempt to overturn his death sentence, as per Dawn.

    A four-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, along with Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Aminud Din Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah, will preside over the hearings.

    Represented by his counsel Salman Safdar, the late General filed an appeal requesting the annulment of the conviction, citing a trial process that was conducted in violation of the Constitution and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898.

    The appeal seeks a suspension of the judgment in the interest of justice and fair play.

    The petition highlights Musharraf’s military career and claims that the trial for a constitutional crime was conducted in an unconstitutional manner.

    In a separate development, the Sindh High Court Bar Association contested the Lahore High Court’s decision on January 13, 2020, which deemed the Special Court’s decision unconstitutional.

    The association has appealed to the Supreme Court to reinstate the conviction for subverting the Constitution.

    Presented by counsel Rasheed A. Razvi, the appeal argues that the high court’s verdict is legally flawed, alleging a misinterpretation of evidence and failure to appreciate the material presented by the prosecution during the trial.

    Additionally, the appeal asserts that the high court neglected to acknowledge that the material presented by the prosecution before the Special Court was not denied by Gen Musharraf at any stage of the case.

    It further argues that the verdict contradicts established principles of the Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order, stating that unchallenged facts are deemed admitted by the parties and do not require further proof.

    The petition asserts that the high court’s decision contradicts the precedent set by superior courts and the Supreme Court, referencing the 2019 Lahore High Court Bar Association case.

    A special court in Islamabad found former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf guilty of high treason and handed him a death sentence under Article 6 of the Constitution on December 17, 2019.

    This was the first time in Pakistan’s history that a military chief has been declared guilty of high treason and handed a death sentence. The verdict was split 2-1.

    Article 6 of the Constitution says: “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.”

    The three-member bench of the special court was headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprising Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

  • Shahid Afridi opens up about why he chose Shaheen to become his son-in-law

    Shahid Afridi opens up about why he chose Shaheen to become his son-in-law

    Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi married Ansha Afridi, the daughter of former cricket star Shahid Afridi, in a star-studded celebration that went viral on social media. The two tied the knot in Karachi and later held wedding festivities in September.

    Speaking on Samaa TV’s podcast, ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi opened up about why he chose Shaheen to be his son-in-law.

    “His family and mine had been talking about this topic for a long time,” Shahid said. “Shaheen is a very good human being. I had not known him personally but the elders in our family knew each other very well, but their contact had faded. A lot of people who played domestic cricket with Shaheen praised him for being very mature, well mannered. All these things were very important for me to know what kind of a person he is.”

    Shahid was then asked about the chances of developing a career in Bollywood, to which the former cricketer replied:

    ‘”Yes, I got an offer two to three times, in India as well, I think one should only do something that he can. My identity was cricket, I was never in movies, and neither was my family into that so I never thought of that. It was fine doing some acting in TV commercials but that was it.”

  • Ishaq Dar wants President Alvi to resign voluntarily

    Ishaq Dar wants President Alvi to resign voluntarily

    Former Finance Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Ishaq Dar has called on President Arif Alvi to resign from his position after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa’s remarks in the election delay case.

    “It would be suitable for the president to step down voluntarily as his constitutional tenure ended,” said the PML-N stalwart while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Jirga’ on Sunday.

    The CJP had said that President Alvi violated the constitution by not announcing a date for the general elections.

    Qazi Faez Isa passed the observation while hearing petitions seeking general elections in 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies in country.

    “Following the Supreme Court’s remarks, it would be better if the president resigns voluntarily,” Dar said.

    While discussing general elections, the former finance czar said that they could be further delayed due to the delimitation process.

    However, he said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) saved time in carrying out the process to draw new boundaries.

  • Pakistan’s cotton production surge offers hope for forex reserves 

    Pakistan’s cotton production surge offers hope for forex reserves 

    Cotton production this year is proving to be a silver lining for Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, with an impressive 83 per cent increase in production for the 2023-24 season, totalling 6.79 million bales. 

    According to an estimate by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners’ Forum, cumulative production in the current season may reach around 9 to 9.5 million bales, a significant improvement from the previous year’s production of 5 million bales. This can be attributed to favourable weather conditions. 

    However, it’s worth noting that the production is still below the government’s target of 11.5 million bales. 

    According to Express Tribune, the recent 193 per cent increase in gas prices has exacerbated challenges faced by textile manufacturers and exporters, reducing the country’s competitiveness among regional textile exporters. 

    Another discouraging factor is for the farmers, as the market is offering them Rs7,000 per 40 kilogrammes, falling short of the government’s announced support price of Rs8,500 per 40 kilogrammes.

    The government has yet to fulfil its promise of purchasing cotton to stabilise market prices.  

    The Caretaker Prime Minister has urged the activation of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan, but this action is contingent on approval from the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, which has not yet occurred. 

    Ginners has mentioned that the increase in cotton production will save the country approximately $1 billion in import costs. 

  • Armeena Khan slams Shaniera for staying silent about Palestine

    Armeena Khan slams Shaniera for staying silent about Palestine

    Actress Armeena Khan slammed philanthropist and wife to former cricketer Wasim Akram, Shaniera, for remaining silent about the genocide of Palestinians.

    Shaniera tweeted her sorrow at the recent tragedies around the world, writing:

    “Helpless. I feel so totally and utterly helpless. Ive never been scared of saying what I want or how I feel, but right now im very emotional and actually just don’t have any words left to give and i am really sorry if that offends anyone”

    To which Armeena had responded:

    “You have plenty of words to give when it’s Pakistan. Either talk about Palestine openly or keep your dramatics to yourself.”

    In a now-deleted tweet, Shaniera criticised Armeena’s response by writing: “Seriously? With the state of the world and the pain we are seeing daily, you are still throwing hate at me. For what? You don’t know me or what I am dealing with. Whatever we are, we are both mothers, you should be using your voice to promote unity and sisterhood. I think it’s about time you grew up. You are really sinking pretty low for headlines now.”