Politics

Khan granted bailable warrants in judge threatening case

A local court in Islamabad on Friday converted a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan into a bailable one in a woman judge threatening case. Additional District and Session Judge Sikandar Khan announced the verdict after hearing arguments on warrant review petition filed by the former premier.

Tyrian White case: IHC reserves verdict on case admissibility

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on the admissibility of a petition seeking the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for concealing his alleged daughter, Tyrian White from his election papers. Submitting his response to the IHC, the former PM had requested the court to dismiss the petition. Subsequently, the IHC decided to constitute a larger bench to hear the petition. On Feb 9, it emphasized that arguments on the plea’s admissibility were highly important.

Violence erupts during Bisham protest

It emerged that violence erupted in Shangla district’s Bisham tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday as citizens protested against the “unjust” distribution of free flour. Bisham Assistant Commissioner (AC) Muhammad Jawad Asif said that the residents of the Maira area of Bisham tehsil had blocked the Karakoram Highway while staging the protest. He added that police had been deployed in the area to deal with any untoward situation.

ECP announces date for KP elections

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the date for general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notified that general elections in KP will be held on October 8, whereas, the schedule of polls will be issued soon.

Bill seeking to curtail CJP’s suo motu powers lands in Senate

The Senate on Thursday passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure), Bill 2023, aimed at curbing the top judge’s suo motu powers in an individual capacity, amid noisy protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislators. The bill was moved by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar in the Senate. The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure), Bill 2023 was adopted by a majority vote of 60-19.

Maryam Nawaz warns CJP against ‘following’ Khan

PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday advised Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to not “follow” PTI Chairman Imran Khan. She claimed that the Khan had later turned his back on those “facilitating” him. Addressing a party rally in Kasur, she said: “The courts are taking suo motu notice today on the words of this madman (Imran).....He has used every facilitator of his and later turned on them.”

NA swiftly passes bill clipping wings of chief justice on suo motu front

Islamabad: The National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, meant to curtail powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to unilaterally take suo motu notice. Addressing the NA session, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that the legislation was in line with the constitution as it did not affect the powers of the CJP. “We can call it an intervention in the apex court’s affairs when a stranger is included in the authority,” he added.

Law minister to present SC bill 2023 in senate

Islamabad: The Senate would hold an important session on Thursday at 10am, according to an official announcement made on Wednesday. The session, which will be chaired by Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, will address a 13-point agenda. One of the main items on the agenda will be the presentation of the Supreme Court practice and procedure bill 2023 by the federal law minister.

MQM congratulates PM on SC bill

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with a high-level delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The delegation comprised Convener MQM Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal IT minister Amin ul Haq. Federal minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also attended the meeting. The MQM delegation congratulated the PM on passing the "Supreme Court practice and procedure bill 2023" from the national assembly.

Hassaan Niazi acquitted in sedition case

A local court in Karachi on Wednesday acquitted Hassaan Niazi, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in a case for inciting people to revolt against national institutions. The District East Police produced Niazi before judicial magistrate in Karachi (East) in a case lodged against him on the complaint of a citizen named Muhammad Iqbal in the Jamshaid Quarters police station.  

Cabinet approves bill to amend SC’s suo motu powers

Islamabad: In a bid to limit the discretionary powers to take suo motu notice by Pakistan's top judge, the federal cabinet approved the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023. The development came a day after two Supreme Court judges, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, raised questions over the powers of the CJP.

CJP says ECP hastily penned decision to delay polls in Punjab

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said that the decision to postpone polls in Punjab was penned in haste by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The CJP passed the remark after the Supreme Court resumed the hearing on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) petition challenging the ECP decision on the Punjab elections.

“No talks with Khan unless he apologizes “: PM

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan would only be possible if the former premier admits his "wrongdoings" and apologizes to people for all the things he has said and done. Labelling Khan as a “fraud,” he said that it was “not possible to talk" with someone who had “looted the country, attacked the judiciary, and did not believe in the Constitution and justice".

‘Imran Khan booked in 29 cases in Islamabad’: IHC

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan is booked in 29 cases in Islamabad, a report submitted to Islamabad High Court (IHC) showed on Tuesday. Chief Justice IHC Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition filed by Imran Khan seeking details of cases lodged against him in Islamabad.

Islamabad Bar bans entry of police in katchehry

The Islamabad Bar Association on Tuesday banned entry of police in the katchehry following the arrest of a lawyer during former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s appearance in IHC. A lawyer named Syed Ali Asghar was arrested by the police during the court appearance of former premier Imran Khan in the Islamabad High Court yesterday.

Bushra Bibi challenges FIA notice in LHC

Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan has challenged the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) in Lahore High Court (LHC). As per details, justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard Bushra Bibi’s plea in LHC. The Assistant Advocate General told said that the case against Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is registered in FIA that why the federal counsel will submit a response on this case.

SC resumes hearing PTI petition on delay in Punjab, KP polls

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday resumed hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition against delay in general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A five-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail is hearing the case.  

SC sends notice to ECP over delay in Punjab polls

The Supreme Court Issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for dragging feet on polls in Punjab. It also sought guarantees from the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to bury the hatchet for free, fair, and transparent elections. A five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, heard the plea.

SC judges question ‘unbridled’ powers of CJP

In an unusual development, two judges of the Supreme Court raised qquestionsover the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan(CJP). They said that the apex court “cannot be dependent on the solitary decision of one man, the Chief Justice”. “This court cannot be dependent on the solitary decision of one man, the Chief Justice, but must be regulated through a rule-based system approved by all Judges of the Court under Article 191 of the Constitution,” the statement read.

FBR officer seeks permission for corruption in letter to PM

In a bizarre request, a Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) officer has sought permission for corruption in a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the domestic expenses amid soaring inflation. In a viral letter, the FBR of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) has sought permission for corruption as he is facing difficulties to meet the expenses due to his low salary.

PEMRA bans live, recorded coverage of rallies in Islamabad

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday banned live and recorded coverage of rallies, and public gatherings in Islamabad ahead of former prime minister Imran Khan’s court appearance in the federal capital۔ According to details, PEMRA has issued a notification, stating that the ban has been extended to cover public meetings and rallies in the Islamabad area for March 27.

Recruitment of influencers without test, interview during PTI era: Reports

Ikram Khatana, in charge of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) social media for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stated that about 1050 people were recruited in the information department without any interview and were taking 25000 rupees sitting at home. These people used to participate in various trends on social media and support PTI. He also admitted that the social media influencers mentioned by the caretaker cabinet were only in the information department but many others were serving in other departments as well.

“Working to put economy back on track”: Ishaq Dar

Islamabad: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the govt made all possible efforts to steer the economy of the difficult situation to put it on the path of sustainable economic growth. Addressing an Iftar dinner hosted by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Dar said that friendly countries were expected to materialize their commitments with Pakistan that would pave the way to close the deal with the IMF and revive the economy.

Hassaan Niazi handed over to Lahore Police

A judicial magistrate's court in Quetta on Sunday handed over Barrister Hassaan Khan Niazi, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the nephew of Imran Khan, to Punjab police on a seven-day transitory remand. The Punjab police had reached Quetta to take Hasan Niazi into custody in an attempted murder case registered against him at Lahore's Race Course police station. Niazi had been arrested by the Quetta police under Section 3 of the MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) late Saturday, hours after being granted bail.

PM Shehbaz gave ‘ill response’ to President’s letter: Fawad Chaudhry

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry said that PM Sharif gave an ill response to President Dr. Arif Alvi’s letter written within the constitutional provisions. Addressing a presser along with PTI general secretary Asad Umar, he said the way PM had responded to the president’s letter was enough to dawn [on people] how lowly a man he was. “There is no space for forced disappearances in the country and the country is not far from constitutional government”, he added.

PM chastises president for supporting ‘one-sided, anti-govt’ views

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed President Dr Arif Alvi that his letter regarding the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections read like a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) press release. He said that the letter was "blatantly partisan in nature" and supported the Imran Khan-led party's "one-sided and anti-government" views. The president on Friday had penned a letter to PM Shehbaz, urging him to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders in relation to the general elections in both provinces.

“Ensure implementation of SC’s order on polls”: President

President Dr. Arif Alvi penned a letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif. He urged him to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders about general polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The move came days after the electoral watchdog postponed the upcoming elections in Punjab citing security reasons as the major cause behind the change in plans.