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Tag: Pakistan

  • Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Wife Bushra Bibi Get 14 Years Jail Term In Toshakhana Case |

    Islamabad: In another stunning development shaking Pakistan’s political landscape, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were on Wednesday sentenced to a 14-year prison term with rigorous punishment in the infamous Toshakhana case.

    Court Ruling And Penalties

    An Islamabad accountability court, in a decisive move, not only sentenced Khan and Bibi but also barred them from holding any public office for 10 years. Additionally, they were slapped with a hefty fine amounting to Rs 787 million, as reported by Pakistan’s Dawn.

    This verdict swiftly followed another significant ruling just the day before, where Khan and his Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, received a 10-year imprisonment sentence for breaching state secrets. These legal pronouncements occurred amid heightened tensions and just days before the crucial general elections scheduled for February 8.

    Background: What is the Toshakhana Case?

    The Toshakhana case, which has been a focal point of legal scrutiny, stems from allegations lodged by Pakistan’s coalition government, spearheaded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The accusations revolved around Khan’s purported failure to disclose complete information regarding gifts received through Toshakhana and the alleged clandestine sale of certain items.

    Toshakhana, a department under Pakistan’s cabinet division, is tasked with housing gifts and valuables bestowed upon officials, who are mandated to report all such acquisitions to the department.

    During Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, he reportedly received numerous gifts, yet refrained from disclosing details citing potential diplomatic repercussions. However, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, alleged that Khan profited from the sale of state gifts, pocketing a substantial sum.

    Legal Proceedings And Verdict

    The legal saga unfolded with Khan’s indictment earlier last month by Pakistan’s anti-corruption court, acting upon charges pressed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Khan, already incarcerated in connection to the Al-Qadir Trust case, found himself further entangled in legal complexities.

    In a written response submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in September 2023, Khan acknowledged selling several gifts received during his tenure, divulging transactions totaling millions. This admission, coupled with subsequent investigations, led to his disqualification from the assembly for a five-year term by the ECP in October of the same year.

    As the political landscape continues to convulse under the weight of legal entanglements, Khan’s once-towering stature faces profound erosion, while questions linger over the future trajectory of Pakistan’s governance.

  • In Bid To Show Brave Face To India, Pakistan Just Exposed Itself At Global Stage |

    Days after Iran hit terrorist bases in Pakistan’s Balochistan, Islamabad has now retaliated by hitting terrorist bases in Tehran’s territory. In a press brief, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Islamabad undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. It said that several terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’. Tehran has confirmed 9 deaths in the attack. Islamabad’s military action comes after a missile attack by Tehran targeting a terrorist group killed two children in the southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan.

    Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the sole objective of today’s Act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest.

    Responding to a media query on India’s remark, a Pakistani official said that New Delhi will now understand the action taken in self-defense. “I am sure that India will understand the action Pakistan has taken in its self-defense today.”

    India has said that the attack on Balochistan was a matter between Iran and Pakistan. “Insofar as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self-defense,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India.

    India had carried out two surgical strikes on Pakistan after Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. While trying to send a message to New Delhi about self-defense, Pakistan has purportedly exposed itself and Iran. Pakistan wanted to show that it would even respond to India in case of any future events like a surgical strike, it showed to the world that it indeed harbors terrorist groups in its home. Iran has already accused Pakistan of not taking action against terror groups despite several requests.

    Knowing that attacking Iran would further escalate the tension between the two nations, Pakistan took a safer line by saying that Iran is a brotherly country and that the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. “We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endeavor to find joint solutions,” said Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

    By issuing this statement, Pakistan again confirmed that terror groups are thriving uninterrupted in the country, a claim that India has made several times.

  • Islam is a faith of peace, no house for intolerance: Pakistan Army chief

    Pakistan’s highly effective Army chief General Asim Munir stated on Monday that there is no such thing as a house for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society as he met members of the minority Christian neighborhood and lauded their companies for the welfare and defence of the nation.

    His feedback assume significance within the backdrop of the “Jaranwala incident” the place a mob vandalised 22 church buildings and set scores of Christian homes on fireplace over allegations of blasphemy. There have been no casualties however it was one of the crucial harmful assaults on Christians within the Muslim-majority nation.

    “Islam is a religion of peace and there is no space for intolerance and extremism in Islam and society. No one can be allowed to take law in his own hands in a civilised society,” Gen Munir said during an interaction with a 14-member Christian community delegation led by Dr Azad Marshall — Moderator and President Bishops (Church of Pakistan and Bishop of Raiwind) at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

    The army said in a statement that during the meeting matters of mutual interest, religious and inter-faith harmony were discussed.

    Gen Munir “lauded the contributions of the Pakistani Christian Community in nationwide improvement, together with promotion of high quality training, healthcare and philanthropic companies and the excellent function performed by them for the defence of the motherland.”

    He also expressed deep respect for Christian community and stressed upon the need for promoting greater interfaith harmony in society in order to follow Pakistan’s founder M A Jinnah’s true vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.

    The delegation acknowledged Pakistan Army’s efforts in combating terrorism and providing a secure environment to the minorities in the country, and appreciated the Army chief’s gesture as an inspiration for Pakistani minorities to take greater and more active part in nation building and in restoring their faith in a cohesive and tolerant society, according to the statement.

    Authorities have so far restored nine churches out of 22 burnt down by the violent mob over blasphemy allegations.

    According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan fact-finding mission’s report, at least 24 churches and several dozen smaller chapels as well as scores of houses were torched and looted in a series of brutal mob-led attacks against the Christian community on August 16 in Jaranwala town, a city in Punjab province, on allegations of blasphemy against a Christian man.

    It said the mob attack on Christian worship places, their residences, and the cemetery was part of a “bigger hate marketing campaign towards native Christians” and questioned the open involvement of radical Islamists and the complicity of police within the incident.

    Published On:

    Sep 25, 2023

  • 31 injured as passenger practice collides with items practice in Pakistan

    At least 31 individuals have been injured when a passenger practice collided on Sunday with a freight practice parked on the primary railway line in Pakistan’s Punjab province, in line with media report.

    The accident occurred close to the Qila Sattar Shah Station in Sheikhupura district.

    The Lahore-bound passenger practice coming from Mianwali was travelling on the identical monitor the place a freight practice was already parked, ensuing within the crash, Geo News reported.

    The practice driver tried to keep away from the crash however to no avail, it stated.

    According to the rescue personnel, 31 passengers have been injured within the accident. Five injured passengers have been transferred to the district headquarters hospital, they added.

    The railway officers stated an investigation into the crash had been launched.

    A railways spokesperson stated in an announcement that practice operations are operating easily within the Lahore division following the crash.

    The monitor was cleared after the accident, the spokesperson added.

    According to the spokesperson, 4 railways officers together with practice driver Imran Sarwar and his assistant Muhammad Bilal have been suspended.

    An enquiry fee led by a deputy principal officer has been shaped, which can submit its report on the incident in 24 hours, the spokesperson added.

    The railways chairman stated authorized motion will probably be taken in opposition to these answerable for the incident.

    Railways CEO Shahid Aziz stated no compromise will probably be made on the security of passengers.

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident and demanded motion in opposition to these answerable for the crash.

    Accidents on Pakistan’s decaying rail system are frequent. In the previous decade, the nation has witnessed various lethal practice accidents.

    In August this yr, at the very least 56 individuals have been killed, and a dozen others injured after as many as 10 bogies of Havelian-bound Hazara Express derailed close to Sahara Railway Station in Sindh province’s Nawabshah district, 275 kilometres away from Karachi.

    Published On:

    Sep 24, 2023

  • Smugglers rent swimmers to ferry medicine from Pakistan to India as border flooded in Punjab

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: Taking benefit of the flood scenario in Punjab as water was launched from Pong and Bhakra-Nangal dams, smugglers in Pakistan and India have adopted a brand new technique, hiring skilled swimmers to ship drug consignments in India by the intricate zigzag path of the Satluj river. The Punjab Police arrested an enormous fish drug trafficker Malkiat Singh alias Kali, who despatched three swimmers to fetch a consignment of fifty kg heroin from Pakistan.

    Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav mentioned, “Police groups have additionally seized 9 kg heroin — a portion of the 50 kg heroin consignment — from his possession,”, including that 22.5 kg of the heroin had already been recovered by the Punjab Police, taking the entire restoration to 31.5 kg. The growth got here lower than a month after the Jalandhar Rural Police had arrested drug smuggler Joga Singh, who swam into the Pakistan jurisdiction to retrieve a heroin consignment, with 8 kg heroin being recovered from him.

    Earlier, the SSOC Amritsar had arrested a drug smuggler recognized as Shinder Singh after recovering 10 kg heroin and Rs 1.5 lakh from his possession. A lady drug smuggler recognized as Amandeep Kaur alias Deep Bhai linked to this module was additionally arrested with 1 kg heroin, whereas one other drug smuggler Shinderpal alias Pappu was arrested with 500 grams of heroin from Mehatpur.

    Yadav, whereas terming the restoration of this large haul of heroin as the results of vigorous follow-up investigations by the Punjab Police, mentioned that following ahead and backwards linkages on this case, Jalandhar Rural Police have arrested the accused drug trafficker Malkiat Kali, who’s a resident of Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur, from close to Boparai Canal Bridge close to Goraya and recovered the heroin stored in his shoulder bag.

    Divulging particulars, SSP of Jalandhar Rural Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar mentioned that Kali revealed that he was in common contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler recognized as Haider Ali, who helped him smuggle the heroin consignments to India.

    “Malkiat Kali also revealed that he had sent Joga Singh along with two more persons to Pakistan using a riverine route to fetch the 50 kg heroin consignment, which was equally distributed between his party and Joga Singh’s party,” he mentioned, including that additional investigations are on, and police groups are trying to find the remaining drug smugglers concerned on this module.

    A contemporary case has been registered below the NDPS Act at Goraya police station.

    Sources mentioned that the swimmers are paid Rs 1 to Rs 2.50 lakh per kg in comparison with between Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per kg earlier. Drugs have additionally been dropped by drones by smugglers of the neighboring nation. Drug cartels in India and Pakistan have exploited the flood scenario in Ferozepur since July 20, making concerted efforts to smuggle contraband by the intricate zigzag path of the Satluj River, which it traverses seven instances.

    Sources mentioned that a while again a flag assembly was held by which safety businesses of India and Pakistan at size mentioned the problem of manifold enhance within the variety of drug trafficking instances. The overflow of the Satluj River had resulted in flooding in over a dozen border villages and the submersion of greater than fifteen border outposts (BoPs) of the BSF moreover opposed injury to fencing in about 50km alongside the Indo-Pak border. Thus drug traffickers in Pakistan and India acquired the chance to smuggle vital portions of medicine by providing attractive incentives to drug couriers primarily based in each international locations.

    CHANDIGARH: Taking benefit of the flood scenario in Punjab as water was launched from Pong and Bhakra-Nangal dams, smugglers in Pakistan and India have adopted a brand new technique, hiring skilled swimmers to ship drug consignments in India by the intricate zigzag path of the Satluj river. The Punjab Police arrested an enormous fish drug trafficker Malkiat Singh alias Kali, who despatched three swimmers to fetch a consignment of fifty kg heroin from Pakistan.

    Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav mentioned, “Police groups have additionally seized 9 kg heroin — a portion of the 50 kg heroin consignment — from his possession,”, including that 22.5 kg of the heroin had already been recovered by the Punjab Police, taking the entire restoration to 31.5 kg. The growth got here lower than a month after the Jalandhar Rural Police had arrested drug smuggler Joga Singh, who swam into the Pakistan jurisdiction to retrieve a heroin consignment, with 8 kg heroin being recovered from him.

    Earlier, the SSOC Amritsar had arrested a drug smuggler recognized as Shinder Singh after recovering 10 kg heroin and Rs 1.5 lakh from his possession. A lady drug smuggler recognized as Amandeep Kaur alias Deep Bhai linked to this module was additionally arrested with 1 kg heroin, whereas one other drug smuggler Shinderpal alias Pappu was arrested with 500 grams of heroin from Mehatpur.googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    Yadav, whereas terming the restoration of this large haul of heroin as the results of vigorous follow-up investigations by the Punjab Police, mentioned that following ahead and backwards linkages on this case, Jalandhar Rural Police have arrested the accused drug trafficker Malkiat Kali, who’s a resident of Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur, from close to Boparai Canal Bridge close to Goraya and recovered the heroin stored in his shoulder bag.

    Divulging particulars, SSP of Jalandhar Rural Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar mentioned that Kali revealed that he was in common contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler recognized as Haider Ali, who helped him smuggle the heroin consignments to India.

    “Malkiat Kali also revealed that he had sent Joga Singh along with two more persons to Pakistan using a riverine route to fetch the 50 kg heroin consignment, which was equally distributed between his party and Joga Singh’s party,” he mentioned, including that additional investigations are on, and police groups are trying to find the remaining drug smugglers concerned on this module.

    A contemporary case has been registered below the NDPS Act at Goraya police station.

    Sources mentioned that the swimmers are paid Rs 1 to Rs 2.50 lakh per kg in comparison with between Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per kg earlier. Drugs have additionally been dropped by drones by smugglers of the neighboring nation. Drug cartels in India and Pakistan have exploited the flood scenario in Ferozepur since July 20, making concerted efforts to smuggle contraband by the intricate zigzag path of the Satluj River, which it traverses seven instances.

    Sources mentioned that a while again a flag assembly was held by which safety businesses of India and Pakistan at size mentioned the problem of manifold enhance within the variety of drug trafficking instances. The overflow of the Satluj River had resulted in flooding in over a dozen border villages and the submersion of greater than fifteen border outposts (BoPs) of the BSF moreover opposed injury to fencing in about 50km alongside the Indo-Pak border. Thus drug traffickers in Pakistan and India acquired the chance to smuggle vital portions of medicine by providing attractive incentives to drug couriers primarily based in each international locations.

  • Pakistani Hindus protest towards abduction of neighborhood members in Sindh province

    Pakistan’s Hindu neighborhood members together with individuals from different faiths have been staging a protest since September 1 over the kidnapping of some members of the minority neighborhood by bandits in riverine areas in southern Sindh province’s Kashmore, in accordance with a media report on Monday.

    Dr Chand Mahar, the senior vice chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority wing in Sindh and one of many people main the protest, stated the demonstration was being staged at Dera More — an space close to the Sindh-Punjab border — since Friday final week, Dawn.com reported.

    Three members of the Hindu neighborhood — recognized as Mukhi Jagdish Kumar, Sagar Kumar and Jaideep Kumar — have been in dacoits’ captivity after they had been just lately intercepted by them, Mahar stated.

    He added {that a} Muslim physician — Munir Naij — had additionally been held captive for the previous 40 days.

    Mukhi was a 72-year-old businessman and Jaideep was 9 years outdated, Mahar stated, including that they had been kidnapped from Kashmore. Sagar was additionally kidnapped from Kashmore metropolis whereas Naij was kidnapped in Guddu round 40 days again, he stated.

    Protests over their abduction, in addition to rising incidents of robberies in Sindh, had been additionally held in a number of different cities within the province on Sunday, with the relations of the victims demanding their early and protected restoration.

    The protesters, together with individuals from all faiths, additionally demanded an operation by the Army and Rangers towards the abductors and bandits.

    “Everyone is asking us to call off the protest but hostages are still in dacoits’ captivity,” he said, adding that people were “fed up with these kidnappings”.

    He said Kashmore Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amjad Sheikh had assured the protesters that the hostages would be recovered soon.

    Mahar estimated that around 40 people had been kidnapped by riverine bandits during the last few months. “Some of them were released after the payment of ransom,” he added.

    “We are taken as simple prey by dacoits so far as the cost of ransom is anxious. Since most of them (members of the Hindu neighborhood) run companies, they’re kidnapped by dacoits,” he stated.

    Dr Lal Chand Ukrani, president of the PPP’s minority wing in Sindh, voiced related sentiments. “We (Hindus) are easy targets,” he stated. “Muslims are also kidnapped but Hindus are an easy target for ransom.”

    He stated he had raised the matter with former chief minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and had been in talks with him over the difficulty earlier than the tip of his tenure “because the law and order situation in upper Sindh is very bad, especially in Kashmore”.

    On Sunday, caretaker Sindh Home Minister Haris Nawaz informed reporters in Thatta {that a} plan had been finalised for launching an operation towards bandits within the riverine areas of Jacobabad and Shikarpur, and the subsequent part of the operation could be extra result-oriented.

    Edited By:

    Prateek Chakraborty

    Published On:

    Sep 5, 2023

  • Imran Khan makes stunning revelations whereas grilling in lacking cypher case

    Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted misplacing a confidential diplomatic cable as he was interrogated by Pakistan’s prime investigative company on the Attock Jail in a case filed underneath the Official Secrets Act for wrongful use of the categorised doc, in line with media reviews on Sunday.

    Khan, 70, is at the moment serving a three-year jail time period after he was sentenced by a courtroom in a corruption case earlier this month.

    The cable in query was the identical doc Khan had for lengthy talked about as proof of a US-backed conspiracy to take away him because the prime minister final 12 months.

    Khan had waved a doc at a rally days earlier than his ouster as prime minister in April 2022, saying it was proof of international conspiracy.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s interrogation within the matter comes days after he was booked underneath the Official Secrets Act for making the content material of a confidential diplomatic cable from the nation’s embassy within the US public.

    The counter-terrorism wing (CTW) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday visited the previous prime minister within the jail, media reviews stated.

    FIA sources stated a six-member joint investigation crew, led by FIA Deputy Director Ayaz Khan, met Khan within the workplace of the Attock Jail’s deputy superintendent and interrogated him for over an hour, the Dawn newspaper reported.

    WHAT IMRAN KHAN SAID DURING QUESTIONING

    During interrogation, Khan admitted to shedding the cypher, saying he could not recall the place he saved it, The News newspaper reported.

    Khan additionally denied that the paper he waved at a public gathering final 12 months, days earlier than the ouster of his authorities, as proof of the conspiracy was the diplomatic cable.

    “The paper I gestured in the public were Cabinet meeting minutes and not cypher,” the paper quoted Khan as saying.

    The investigation agency had registered the case against Khan and PTI vice chairman and former foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, after ascertaining their deliberate involvement in misusing the cypher and its misplacement following a probe.

    The FIR also stated that the role of the former prime minister’s principal secretary, Azam Khan, ex-planning minister Asad Umar, and other associates involved would be determined during the investigation.

    Qureshi, a close aide of Khan, was arrested by police from his house here on August 19, and during Saturday’s interrogation, Khan was questioned about the former’s revelations.

    IMRAN KHAN’S ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE US

    Citing the cypher, Khan has been alleging the US of hatching a conspiracy to topple his government. The US has time and again denied such allegations, terming them “categorically false”.

    The purported cypher contained an account of a meeting between US State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and then Pakistani envoy Asad Majeed Khan.

    The cricketer-turned-politician came under increased scrutiny following the publication of a purported copy of the secret cable by the US media outlet The Intercept, with many in the previous government led by Shehbaz Sharif pointing fingers at the PTI chief for being the source of the leak.

    Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah has said that if Khan had indeed lost the copy of the cypher provided to him, it would constitute a crime under the Official Secrets Act.

    Citing the cypher, The Intercept, in a report published earlier this month, said, “The US State Department inspired the Pakistani authorities in a March 7, 2022, assembly to take away Imran Khan as prime minister over his neutrality on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

    The publication, however, also stated it made extensive efforts to authenticate the document, but “given the safety local weather in Pakistan, impartial affirmation from sources within the Pakistani authorities was not potential”.

    The US State Department had stated it couldn’t confirm the authenticity of the doc.

    The cypher case towards Khan grew to become severe after his principal secretary, Azam Khan, acknowledged earlier than a Justice of the Peace and the FIA that the previous premier had used the US cypher for his ‘political gains’ and to avert a no-confidence vote towards him final 12 months.

    IMRAN KHAN JAILED FOR 3 YEARS

    On August 5, Imran was arrested and despatched to Attock Jail after a trial courtroom discovered him responsible within the Toshakhana corruption case.

    Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar additionally disqualified the PTI chief for 5 years, apparently ending his prospects for collaborating within the upcoming common elections, dates for which haven’t been mounted.

    Dozens of circumstances had been launched towards Khan after his elimination from workplace final 12 months.

    It is believed that he could also be arrested by the FIA within the cypher case if his sentence within the Toshakhana case is suspended.

    Published On:

    Aug 27, 2023

  • Pakistan court docket adjourns listening to on Imran Khan’s enchantment within the Toshakhana case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday adjourned the listening to till Friday on the enchantment filed by Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan difficult his conviction and sentence by a classes court docket within the Toshakhana corruption case.

    A panel of judges comprising IHC Chief Justice Amer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri resumed the listening to of enchantment in opposition to the conviction of 70-year-old Khan within the Toshakhana case.

    During the listening to, Khan’s lawyer Latif Khosa provided his argument in opposition to the conviction, asserting that the decision was given in haste and it is stuffed with shortcomings.

    As the defence crew accomplished arguments, the Election Commission of Pakistan lawyer Amjad Pervez began arguments. He informed the court docket that he wanted no less than three hour to current his argument.

    Later, the court docket adjourned the listening to till 11.30 a.m. Friday.

    Separately, the Supreme Court additionally held a quick listening to and adjourned the case with remarks that it might watch for the end result of listening to within the IHC.

    A 3-member apex court docket panel led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail carried out a listening to of the petitions within the Toshakhana case.

    The case was launched final 12 months in October on the criticism of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which had earlier disqualified Khan in the identical case.

    After listening to spanning over months, Judge Humayun Dilawar of the Islamabad-based classes court docket on August 5 awarded a 3 years sentence to Khan for hiding the proceeds he acquired from the sale of state items.

    Khan inside days had challenged the conviction within the Islamabad High Court (IHC), in search of to droop his sentence and overturn the judgment.

    The court docket held the preliminary listening to on August 22 however adjourned the circumstances until August 24 after the ECP Lawyer Amjad Pervez said that he had not been supplied with the report of the case and wanted time to arrange.

    Khan’s lawyer Latif Khosa opposed the transfer by the ECP counsel and pressed for a listening to and grant of request to droop the sentence of Khan. However, the panel of judges had granted the request of the ECP lawyer and adjourned the listening to till Thursday.

    Earlier, the Supreme Court on Wednesday listening to varied petitions in opposition to the Toshakhana case noticed that there have been “shortcomings” within the judgment of the classes court docket.

    The panel noticed that the decision was given in haste and with out giving proper of defence to the accused. “Prima facie, there are shortcomings within the trial court docket verdict,” the chief justice stated.

    The apex court docket had additionally said it might watch for the IHC listening to earlier than giving its judgment. It resumed the listening to on Thursday however adjourned it with out fixing any date after it was informed that the IHC was holding a listening to.

    The Toshakhana case was filed by ruling occasion lawmakers in 2022 within the ECP, alleging that Khan hid the proceeds from the sale of state items.

    The ECP first disqualified him after which filed a case of felony proceedings in a classes court docket which convicted him and subsequently, Khan was despatched to jail.

    Khan is at the moment in Attock Jail the place he was lodged after arrest following his conviction. He has additionally been disqualified for 5 years.

    The case alleges that Khan had “deliberately concealed” particulars of the items he retained from the Toshaskhana – a repository the place presents handed to authorities officers from overseas officers are stored – throughout his time because the prime minister from 2018 to 2022 and proceeds from their reported gross sales.

    According to Toshakhana guidelines, items/presents and different such supplies obtained by individuals to whom these guidelines apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

    According to reviews, Khan obtained 58 items price greater than Rs 140 million from world leaders throughout his three-and-a-half-year stint and retained all of them both by paying a negligible quantity and even with none fee.

    Edited By:

    Sudeep Lavania

    Published On:

    Aug 24, 2023

  • Pakistan President sacks secretary amid ‘I didn’t signal the payments’ controversy

    Pakistan President Arif Alvi sacked his secretary on Monday, a day after he stated he didn’t personally signal two key payments and had instructed his employees to return them unsigned inside the stipulated time to make them ineffective.

    President Alvi on Sunday denied that he signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 after the native media reported that the president had signed the 2 payments that turned legal guidelines.

    The President’s Secretariat stated in a press release that Alvi requested for the substitute of Secretary Waqar Ahmed whose companies have been “no more required”.

    “In view of the definite statement of yesterday, President’s Secretariat has written a letter to Principal Secretary to Prime Minister that the services of Mr Waqar Ahmed, Secretary to President, are no more required and are surrendered to the Establishment Division, immediately,” the assertion stated.

    The president additionally requested that Humaira Ahmed, a BPS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, could also be posted as Secretary to the President, learn the assertion.

    The removing of Waqar comes a day after President Alvi stated posted on X: “I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2023 as I disagreed with these laws”.

    “I requested my employees to return the payments unsigned inside the stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many instances whether or not they have been returned & was assured that they have been. However, I’ve came upon as we speak that my employees undermined my will and command. As Allah is aware of all, He will forgive IA (InshaAllah). But I ask forgiveness…,” stated Alvi, who’s from jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf occasion.

    The unprecedented claims by the president precipitated a furore with many looking for motion.

    Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Babar Awan in a video message requested Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take suo moto motion.

    He stated that the president of the nation was the top of state, part of Parliament and the supreme commander of the armed forces whereas the nation’s agreements have been additionally made utilizing his identify.

    “A very serious crime has taken place,” he stated, including that this amounted to “constitutional insubordination” which might fall beneath Article 6 (excessive treason).

    Pakistan’s former overseas minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a detailed aide of jailed former prime minister Khan, was arrested from his residence in Islamabad on Sunday right here beneath the Official Secrets Act in reference to the leakage of a confidential diplomatic cable.

    The Pakistan authorities on Monday established a particular courtroom to listen to instances filed beneath the Official Secrets Act and Qureshi was offered earlier than it for the listening to of the cipher case registered in opposition to him beneath the stringent legislation.

    Published On:

    Aug 22, 2023

  • 18 useless as bus catches hearth after hitting van in Pakistan’s Punjab

    At least 18 individuals, together with girls and kids, had been killed and 16 others injured when a passenger bus caught hearth on Sunday in Pakistan’s Punjab province after colliding with a pick-up van carrying a gasoline tank.

    The bus en path to Islamabad from Karachi carried about 40 passengers when it collided with the van at Pindi Bhattian part of Faisalabad motorway, some 140 kilometres from Lahore, round 4:30 am, the police stated.

    “On the Pindi Bhatian section of the motorway, the bus hit a static van which was carrying a fuel tank. The bus hit it from the rear and both vehicles caught fire immediately, killing at least 18 passengers,” Inspector General (IG) Motorway Police Sultan Khawaja stated.

    Another 16 individuals with burn accidents had been shifted to close by hospitals.

    The loss of life toll might rise additional because the situation of a number of the injured is alleged to be important, the IG stated.

    The IG additional stated the passengers who managed to leap off the bus survived.

    Others didn’t get an opportunity to get off as hearth engulfed each the automobiles, he stated, including that the drivers of each automobiles had been additionally killed within the accident.

    IG Khawaja additionally stated the reason for the accident was but to be ascertained “whether the bus driver fell asleep at the time of the accident or the crash took place because of speeding”.

    He stated each the automobiles wouldn’t have caught hearth had the van not been carrying a gasoline tank.

    He added that the id of those that misplaced their lives could be ascertained by way of DNA assessments after which the our bodies could be handed over to their households.

    Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed grief over the lack of lives within the accident and directed the authorities involved to offer the perfect remedy to the injured.

    Road accidents that are frequent throughout Pakistan declare quite a few lives each day.

    Five individuals, together with a girl and two minors, had been killed and 20 others injured when a bus overturned within the Fazilpur space of Punjab’s Rajanpur district again in July.

    Edited By:

    Sudeep Lavania

    Published On:

    Aug 20, 2023