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Tag: Pakistan

  • Imran Khan suspends Jail Bharo Tehreek, decides to prepare for elections

    Imran Khan suspends Jail Bharo Tehreek, decides to prepare for elections

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced to suspend his party’s Jail Bharo Tehreek (Voluntary Arrest Movement).

    Taking to Twitter, Khan said, “We welcome the Supreme Court (SC) judgement. It was responsibility of SC to uphold Constitution & they have valiantly done that through their judgement today. It is an assertion of Rule of Law in Pak.”

    “We are suspending our Jail Bharo movement & moving forward with election campaigns in KP & Punjab,” tweeted Khan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the announcement comes right after Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed all relevant authorities to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) within 90 days.

    Reading out the verdict reserved on Tuesday evening, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should suggest a date for polls to President Arif Alvi.

    “Elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly,” the verdict says, emphasizing that it was the constitutional responsibility of the Governor to announce an election date.

  • Supreme Court orders to hold polls within 90 days both in Punjab and KP

    Supreme Court orders to hold polls within 90 days both in Punjab and KP

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has on Wednesday directed all relevant authorities to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) within 90 days.

    The decision was passed three-two in favour of the verdict by the five-member bench, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail giving dissenting notes.

    Reading out the verdict reserved on Tuesday evening, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should suggest a date for polls to President Arif Alvi.

    “Elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the assembly,” the verdict says, emphasizing that it was the constitutional responsibility of the Governor to announce an election date.

    “Parliamentary democracy is a salient feature of the Constitution. There can be no parliamentary democracy without Parliament or the provincial assemblies. And there can be neither Parliament nor provincial assemblies without the holding of general elections as envisaged, required and mandated by and under the Constitution and in accordance therewith,” the top court remarked.

    The court order stated, “In situations where the assembly is not dissolved by order of the governor, the constitutional responsibility of appointing a date for the general election that must follow is to be discharged by the president.”

    “The Election Commission must proactively be available to the president or the governor, and be prepared for such consultation as required for a date for the holding of general elections,” the order said.

    The court directed President Arif Alvi to announce the date of the Punjab election after consulting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and directed the KP governor to announce the date for polls in his province.

    It further said that in ordinary circumstances, the general election in Punjab ought to be held on April 9 — the date given by the president — but because there were delays in the announcement of the poll date, it might not be possible for the province to meet the 90-day deadline.

    “The Election Commission is therefore directed to use its utmost efforts to immediately propose, keeping in mind ss. 57 and 58 of the 2017 Act, date to the president that is compliant with the deadline. After consultation with the ECP, the President shall announce a date for holding the general election to the Punjab Assembly.”

    Meanwhile, the SC directed the KP governor to appoint a date for elections in the province after consulting the ECP.

  • ‘Inka leader toh ghar baitha huva hai’: Justice Nasira Iqbal slams Jail Bharro Tehreek

    Justice (R) Nasira Iqbal has criticised the ongoing Jail Bharro Tehreek (voluntary arrest movement) initiated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying that she is unable to understand the purpose behind it.

    Justice Nasir, mother to incarcerated PTI leader Waleed Iqbal, was asked by Voice.pk whether she will file bail for her son, said: “Did I ask him to go? I told him that this act is not appropriate”.

    Not mincing her words when it came to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Justice Nasira said, “Jo leader in ka bana huva hai, woh toh ghar betha huva hai bail before arrest li huvi ha” (Their leader is sitting at home and has obtained bail before arrest).

    She quoted Gandhi as an example, stating that he was an actual leader who gave his arrest first. She said that while Imran himself is at home, he has asked others to present themselves for arrest.

    The judge was of the view that instead of the movement, they all should be focusing on campaigning for elections. She predicted that elections are going to take place in the next 40 days.

    She also talked about the other PTI leaders who are being kept in different jails. She said that at first, they all were in Kot Lakhpat Jail, however, later they were transferred because of space constraints.

  • Supreme Court to announce verdict tomorrow at 11am in elections suo motu case

    A five-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has reserved its verdict and said that it would announce the verdict in the elections suo motu case tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11am.

    The hearing of the case has been completed.

    Last Wednesday, the top court took suo motu notice of the delay in holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    SC orders PTI and govt to consult on elections dates themselves and inform court

    Earlier, the apex court directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the coalition government to sit together and decide on a date for elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab by 4pm today (Tuesday).

    In this regard, the top court directed Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry to consult with their party chairman, Imran Khan—who has been making appearances before various courts since Tuesday afternoon— and coalition partners’ lawyers to consult with their leaders and update the court.

    The instructions were issued after a five-member bench resumed hearing the apex court’s suo motu proceedings regarding the delay in the provincial polls.

    During the hearing on Tuesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial stated that none of the institutions, other than the court, had the authority to extend elections further than 90 days.

    The CJP also said that the court wanted to wrap up the proceedings today. “Our entire work is on halt because of this case,” he added and adjourned the hearing.

    The hearing has resumed again.

    Bench toot gaya: Five judges resume SC hearing after four recuse themselves from suo motu

    On February 27, SC resumed the hearing regarding election date suo motu notice.

    The bench, which previously included nine SC judges, has been reconstituted to a five-member bench after four judges disassociated themselves. Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Yahya Afridi recused themselves from hearing the case.

    A five-member bench has now started listening to the hearing of the case. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has said that the case has to be wrapped up by 9:30 tomorrow.

    At the previous hearing, the coalition parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamat-e-Ulema Islami-Fazl (JUI-F) — had presented a note in the apex court asking two SC judges, Justice Ahsan and Justice Naqvi, to recuse themselves from the case.

    CJP Bandial said that four members of the bench have disassociated themselves from the bench. “The remaining bench, however, will continue hearing the case.

    “We will continue the hearing for the interpretation of the Constitution because what the Constitution says depends on its interpretation,” he stated.

    CJP Bandial also pointed out that the note of one of Justice Mandokhail had emerged on social media even before the verdict was released. “We will take precautions so that such an incident does not recur in the future.”

    The CJP also addressed the issue of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail’s objection note being leaked on social media, assuring that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

    He remarked that whatever written in the Constitution was conditional on the interpretation of it, noting that the case was critical and warranted swiftness.

    Starting out his arguments, PTI’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar said that the chief minister of Punjab sent a summary regarding dissolution of assembly to the governor.

    However, he said that the governor did not comply to it following which the assembly automatically dissolved after 48 hours.

    The counsel argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had requested the date of polls from the governor, who refused, citing that he was not the one who dissolved the assembly.

    Zafar said that President Arif Alvi summoned chief election commissioner for finalizing the date for polls however he did not show up.

    Following this, the lawyer said that the president unilaterally announced the dates for elections in both provinces.

    He emphasized that the Constitution clearly stipulated that elections could not exceed 90 days after the dissolution of the assembly.

    Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that there was a difference between automatic dissolution of assembly and that performed by the governor.

    Barrister Zafar commented that there was a need for someone to intervene in matters of public interest and therefore, the president announced the date.

    In response, Justice Mandokhail asked whether the president unilaterally announced the election date or if he was instructed by someone else.

    The counsel clarified that the president had provided details regarding the election date in his letter. Additionally, Zafar highlighted that the president had sent two letters to the election commission, with the first one dated February 8 requesting the announcement of the election date.

    He added that the main issue at hand was related to the announcement of the election date, which nobody seemed to be prepared for.

    The chief justice then asked if the ECP had responded to the president’s first letter, to which the counsel replied in the negative.

    During the hearing, PPP’s lawyer Farooq H Naek highlighted that they had filed a petition for the formation of a full court.

    The chief justice responded by stating that they would decide on the matter after hearing the counsel’s arguments.

    Barrister Zafar maintained that the elections could not be delayed for ten years. The court inquired about the progress in KP and asked if the governor could write a letter seeking consultation on the election date citing terrorism.

    The lawyer responded by stating that, according to him, the governor does not possess such authority.

    Justice Mazhar asked if the elections could be delayed due to terrorism, to which Justice Ali remarked that the decision on whether the polls would occur could only be taken when a date was fixed for the electoral exercise.

    Justice Mazhar then stated that the entire month was wasted on consultations.

    Justice Mandokhail inquired if the law and order situation could hamper the organization of the election, to which the CJP responded by reminding everyone that the assemblies in 2013 and 2018 completed their five-year terms.

    The DG Law added that the president could only fix the date for the polls once the assemblies completed their term.

    Justice Munib Akhtar remarked that the advice of the chief minister was implemented in KP but not in Punjab.

    The CJP stated that holding elections was the ECP’s job, while Barrister Zafar pointed out that Articles 218, 219, and 222 of the Constitution declared the election commission responsible for holding elections.

    Justice Mandokhail asked who was responsible for announcing the election date, to which Barrister Zafar said that the same question was before the court.

    He went on to say that the ECP gets the right to announce the date if Articles 218 and 219 were read jointly.

    The hearing was adjourned for a short break and set to resume at 4pm.

  • Shaukat Yousafzai, father of 13 children from two wives, forgot name of youngest son on live TV

    Shaukat Yousafzai, father of 13 children from two wives, forgot name of youngest son on live TV

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’S (PTI) provincial spokesperson Shaukat Yousafzai revealed in a morning show that he has fathered 13 children in total.

    During an appearance on HUM News, Yousafzai revealed that he has two wives and 13 children, including 10 daughters and three sons.

    The hosts asked Yousafzai if he could say the names of all his children in one go. Yousafzai smiled and started naming his children. However, Yousafzai could only name 12 as he forgot the name of his youngest son.

  • Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

    The district and sessions court heard the Toshakhana case where Khan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari and Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer Saad Hasan were present in court. The hearing of the case was conducted by judge Zafar Iqbal.

    Khan’s lawyer informed the court that PTI chief will not be able to appear in the court today. Bukhari requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days. The court had repeatedly asked Khan to appear at the hearing. However, Khan failed to do so, citing his injured leg and security reasons.

    The Election Comission of Pakistan’s (ECP) counsel opposed the request, saying the PTI chief did not want to appear before the court. “It is not the court’s concern how far the party head is travelling from to reach the court.”

    He pointed out that Imran could also appear before that court if he was coming to the judicial complex.

    The PTI lawyer said his client could come to the court when he was free of the other two cases within the judicial operational timings.

    “He should also come here as indictment is pending. Once indicted, he can head to the other courts,” the judge responded.

    Khan arrived at Islamabad’s judicial complex on Tuesday afternoon to attend two separate hearings of prohibited funding and terrorism cases filed against him.

    Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Raja Jawad Abbas approved Khan’s interim bail until March 9 in the terrorism case, while banking court Judge Rakhshinda Shaheen confirmed bail for the PTI chief in the prohibited funding case.

    Khan was required to appear in person in four different cases in Islamabad courts today. The foreign funding case is in a banking court and the terrorism case is in an anti-terrorism court located inside the judicial complex, while Toshakhana and attempted murder cases will be heard at a sessions’ court in F-8 Kacheri.

    A large number of PTI workers entered the judicial complex with Khan’s entourage, knocking down its gate and creating chaos as the former Prime Minister’s car arrived at the Complex.

    Security arrangements at Sector G-11 of the Judicial Complex were disrupted as PTI workers removed all barriers. Meanwhile, security has also been tightened at the F-8 kachehri.

    Islamabad Police also took to Twitter and said, “A suspicious person was identified in the crowd. The man was wearing a camouflage jacket and a black cap and was near Imran Khan’s car. People are requested not to form a crowd. Otherwise tear gas can be used.”

    The banking court postponed the proceedings scheduled for all the cases against Khan, citing security concerns. 

    The court had summoned the PTI chief to appear before it today in the prohibited funding case.

    An anti-terrorism court granted interim bail to the PTI chair in the terrorism case filed against him after countrywide protests following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference.

    ATC judge Raja Jawad heard the case and granted bail till March 9.

  • SC crisis continues as Justice Faez Isa refuses to hear cases, summons court registrar over changes in benches

    SC crisis continues as Justice Faez Isa refuses to hear cases, summons court registrar over changes in benches

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Yahya Afridi of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) have taken notice of the procedure for scheduling hearings in the apex court, summoning Registrar Ishrat Ali to appear before them.

    The court summoned the registrar to appear before the two Justices along with all records, stating that there is no “transparency” in his office.

    The development came after Justice Faez Isa, the second senior most judge in the court, found his bench changed in the morning from what it was yesterday. The future Chief Justice said that the cases whose files he had read yesterday had been changed while the judge who was with him on the bench had been changed too.


    “I am a judge of the Supreme Court, I have also been the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court for five years. We want transparency, if the registrar transfers the case from one bench to another, how will there be transparency,” Justice Isa asked.

    Faez Isa also said that it seems that a registrar is more powerful than a judge like him. “I cannot hear the cases dated 2010 because the registrar appoints the cases for hearing. Can I call the registrar and ask that put up such-and-such case before the bench?”

    The honourable judge asked the registrar what is the policy of assigning cases. “On April 2, 2022, the court ordered the registrar to fix the procedure for fixing cases, there is no such thing as transparency in fixing cases in the registrar’s office.”

    Ishrat Ali said that cases are set for hearing only with the approval of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Justice Yahya Afridi then asked that Justice Hasan Rizvi was on ​​the bench, why did the bench change. “What is the procedure for fixing cases?”

    Former President of the Supreme Court Bar, Amanullah Kunrani said that people are tired of asking but our cases are not taken up.

    Justice Faez Isa asked the registrar that why was Justice Yahya Afridi and his bench changed? “Changing the bench without informing raises suspicions in the public mind,” said Isa.

    The Registrar said the Chief Justice’s staff officer verbally instructed that the roster must be changed. Justice Isa said he apologises that he cannot hear his cases today due to the sudden change of bench.

    He also said that a judge’s oath and code of conduct require equal treatment. “Article 10A is included in the fundamental rights, which says that there must be legal reasons for changing the bench.”

    “Arbitrary decision was made by making a bench of will, the dignity of the judiciary will be lower due to lack of transparency. Transparency requires that the case which was entered first should be heard first,” said Justice Isa.

  • PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    Lahore Qalandars continued their winning streak on Monday, thrashing Islamabad United in the 16th fixture of PSL 8 by 110 runs at the Gaddafi stadium Lahore.

    Choosing to bat first, Qalandars set a massive target of 201 runs with the help of a sensational knock by young player Abdullah Shafique. Islamabad United’s strong batting lineup was eviscerated by Qalandars’ bowling attack, knocking them out in just 13.5 overs by conceding only 90 runs and a thrilling bowling display from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.


    United, on the other hand, were left to revisit their planning.
    Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had the stumps flying against Peshawar Zalmi in his first over a day earlier, did not bowl another classic against United.
    In reply to the huge total, United could not establish a productive partnership after Gurbaz and Munro put up 56-2 in the powerplay.
    Zaman Khan gave Lahore a much-needed breakthrough after openers Colin Munro and Gurbaz (23) helped Islamabad make a good start.

    Zaman delivered a slow short bowl that was mistimed by Gurbaz and Fakhar Zaman took a blinder to send the Afghan batter back to the pavilion.

    Soon after Gurbaz’s departure, Shaheen introduced David Wiese, who got the better of Colin Munro, reducing Islamabad to 54-2.

    The left-handed batter scored 18 runs off 14 balls.

    In the next over, fiery pacer Haris Rauf struck as he sent Rassie van der Dussen (3) packing.

    Wiese delivered again as he sent Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan (4) back to the pavilion after a successful review.

    In a bid to shore up the run rate, Asif Ali went for a six but ended up getting caught by Haris off Rashid Khan.

    Wiese added to Islamabad’s miseries by trapping Azam Khan for an lbw. The wicket-keeper batter, who scored 96 runs against Quetta Gladiators in their previous match, was sent packing after he scored only four runs.

    The wizard Rashid claimed his second scalp of the evening by bowling out Tom Curran (10).

    For Lahore, Wiese claimed three wickets, while Rashid and Raza took two scalps each. Zaman and Haris secured a wicket each.

    Playing XI for both teams

    Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

    Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali

  • Govts spent Rs65m on foreign tours in one year, Rs57m on vehicles

    Govts spent Rs65m on foreign tours in one year, Rs57m on vehicles

    The National Assembly (NA) was informed on Monday that an amount of Rs65.21 million (Rs6,521,1504) was spent on the foreign visits of federal ministers, state ministers, and advisors and special assistants to the PM from January 1, 2022 to December 2022. 

    In response to a question asked by Ghous Bux Mahar of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), the lower house was informed about the amount spent on the foreign visits.

    According to the report published in The News, “The list presented by the Cabinet Division, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel tops the list with expenditure of Rs10.42 million (Rs10,420,163) incurred on his foreign visits, while Rs3.78 million was spent on Minister for Board of Investment Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Rs4.91 million (Rs49,14,459) on the foreign visits of Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, Rs1.84 million (Rs1,846,632) on the foreign visits of Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mehmood, Rs5.89 million (Rs5,893. 142) on the foreign visits of Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Rs9.35 lakh on the foreign visits of ex-minister for defense production Zubaida Jalal, Rs2.5 million (Rs2,586,321) on the foreign visits of Minister for Defense Production Israr Tareen, Rs3.167 million (Rs3,167,951) on the foreign visits of Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Rs2.60 million (Rs2,604,456) on the foreign visits of Khurram Dastgir, Rs3.5 million (Rs3,500,222) on the foreign visits of Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum Division) Dr Musadik Malik, Rs1.5 million (Rs1,529,964) on the foreign visits of ex-minister for economic affairs Omar Ayub Khan, Rs9.12 lakh on the foreign visits of ex-minister for federal education and professional training Shafqat Mehmood, Rs178,401 on the foreign visits of federal minister for federal education and professional training Rana Tanveer Hussain, Rs912,239 on the foreign visits of ex-finance minister senator Shaukat Tarin, Rs4.59 million (Rs4,569, 160) on the foreign visits of ex-finance minister Miftah Ismael, Rs2.45 million (Rs2,451,289) on the foreign visits of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Rs4.096 million (Rs4,096, 290) on the foreign visits of Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus, Rs1.54 million (Rs1,541.475) on the foreign visits of Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, Rs619,157 on the foreign visits of Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rs1.8 million (Rs1.849,433) on the foreign visits of Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haq, Rs818,646 on the foreign visits of Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Rs805,954 on the foreign visits of Minister for Maritimes Affairs Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Rs3.117 million (Rs3,117,488) on the foreign visits of Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi, Rs1.58 million (Rs1,587,652) on the foreign visits of Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Justice Shazia Marri and Rs791,256 on the foreign visits of Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor.”

    “Similarly, Rs39,850 was spent on the visits of ex-advisor to the PM on national security Moeed Yousaf to Kabul and Rs19,296 on China visit. Ex-Advisor to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood spent Rs466.285 and Rs481,854 on visits to Dubai.”

    “An amount of Rs328,332 was spent on the foreign visits of ex-SAPM on social protection and poverty alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar to Dubai, Rs195,309 on the foreign visit of ex-SAPM on climate change Malik Amin Aslam to Saudi Arabia, Rs457,383 on the foreign visit of ex-SAPM on tourism coordination Azam Jamil to Dubai and Rs1,437,139 on the visit of SAPM on poverty alleviation Faisal Karim Kundi to Egypt and Rs1,333,960 on visit to Istanbul.”

    “It was informed that Rs57.36 million (Rs573,260,000) had been spent on the purchase of eight new vehicles for the protocol squad of foreign guests.”

    “In a written reply to a question by Sikandar Ali Rahoupoto, the National Assembly was informed that the vehicles include one 29 seater Toyota VIP Coaster (Model 2022) costing Rs17,154,000, 14 seater Toyota high roof van (Model 2022) costing Rs10,772,000 and six 1800cc Toyota Corolla Cars (Model 2022) coting Rs29,400,000.”

  • DHL limits operations in Pakistan due to outbound remittance restrictions

    DHL limits operations in Pakistan due to outbound remittance restrictions

    International logistics company, DHL, announced that it will partially suspend some of its operations in Pakistan due to restrictions on outbound remittances by the government.

    DHL Pakistan has informed its customers that it will suspend its “Import Express Product” and restrict outbound shipments to a maximum weight of 70kg per shipment for all customers billed in Pakistan from March 15.

    According to Dawn, the company has stated that the last pick-up date will be March 14, and shipments picked up on or before this date will still be delivered.

    The decision comes as the PMLN-led coalition government and the State Bank of Pakistan have imposed restrictions on outward remittances for foreign companies operating in Pakistan amid fast-dwindling foreign exchange.

    DHL has stated that the remittances sent by DHL Pakistan cover the cost of DHL’s international aviation, hub, gateway, and last-mile delivery incurred through its global network for the shipments sent/received by valued customers. The company has added that this constraint has made it unsuitable for DHL Express to continue providing the full product offering in Pakistan.