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UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
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Tuesday, 26 March, 2024 I 15 Ramazan, 1445
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RESOLUTION ALSO DEMANDS IMMEDIATE, UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES
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NEW YORK AGENCIES
HE United Nations Security Council on Monday demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters Hamas and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote. The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution, which was proposed by the 10 elected members of the body. “The Palestinian people has suffered greatly. This bloodbath has continued for far too long. It is our obligation to put an end to this bloodbath, before it is too late,” Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council after the vote. Israeli army radio reported shortly before
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14 COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED FOR RESOLUTION AS US ABSTAINS VOTING PROCESS
Pakistan welcomes UNSC resolution seeking truce in Gaza
the council meeting started that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would cancel a planned delegation to Washington if the US did not veto the resolution. Washington had been averse to the word ceasefire earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip and had used its veto power shield US ally Israel as it retaliated against Hamas for an Oct. 7 attack that Israel says killed 1,200 people. But amid growing global pressure for a truce in the war that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, the US abstained from the vote on Monday to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire for the month of the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan, which ends in two weeks. The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Israel
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution on Monday, which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramazan. “We also welcome the Security Council’s call for allowing the free flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, lifting all barriers to its provision, and ensuring the protection of civilians throughout the Gaza Strip,” stated a press release issued by the Foreign Office hours after the UNSC decision. The statement highlighted Pakistan’s consistent condemnation over the past six months of Israel’s indiscriminate use of force, urging for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,
unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza’s besieged population, the return of displaced Palestinians, and accountability for Israel’s actions. “We urge the swift implementation of the Security Council resolution adopted today, hoping it will mark the first step toward ending Israel’s brutal attacks, securing a lasting ceasefire, and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the statement emphasised. Pakistan pledged to continue supporting a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution by advocating for the establishment of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
says Hamas took 253 hostages during its Oct. 7 attack. “The United States support for these objectives is not simply rhetorical. We’re working around the clock to make them real on the ground through diplomacy, because we know that it is only through diplomacy that we can push this agenda forward,” said US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage and so we must put pressure on Hamas to do just that,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield said the US abstained from the vote because it did not agree with everything in the resolution and the text did not include a condemnation of Hamas.
The Security Council resolution also “emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.” The US has vetoed three draft council resolutions on the war in Gaza. It has also previously abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost aid to Gaza and called for extended pauses in fighting. Russia and China have also vetoed two USdrafted resolutions on the conflict – in October and on Friday.
SC seeks details of trials in military courts MAY 9 RIOTS
Court issues production order for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A district and sessions court of Islamabad on Monday issued a production order for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi. The court has issued their production order on the plea filed by the two seeking bail in the cases pertaining to the forgery of receipts for Toshakhana gifts, while Khan has also filed a plea to seek bail in a May 9 violent protests case as well. District and sessions judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued the production order and directed the Adiala jail superintendent to produce the couple before the court on April 4. The decision came after another district and sessions court, last week, had approved a request seeking to produce Khan and PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in court, directing authorities to ensure the politicians’ production on April 20. The petition, requesting their production, was heard by Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas in relation to the Parliament attack case against Khan and others. Khan’s lawyer Naeem Panjotha, during the hearing, had argued that the Superintendent of Adiala jail did not obey the order of any court. He had insisted the court to ensure that the jail officials adhered to the orders and produced Khan. The former premier’s counsel had asked the court to order to present Khan in the courtroom. “The High Court ruled that a meeting with a political leader can be done on video link.” Panjotha had added that the internet worked in Adiala jail, but only in the case of PTI founder, it stopped working. “Superintendent Adiala jail is afraid to bring PTI founder on video link,” the counsel had said.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court on Monday sought details of the military trials of civilians for their alleged involvement in the violent events of May 9. A six-member bench — led by Justice Aminuddin Khan and including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Azhar Hasan Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan — heard a set of intracourt appeals (ICAs) against its Oct 23 unanimous ruling nullifying the military trials of civilians. The case pertains to the trial of 103 civilians for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed ex-premier Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 last year. In a widely praised ruling last year, a five-member SC bench — comprising Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Ayesha Malik — had unanimously declared that trying the accused civilians in military courts was ultra vires the Constitution. The apex court had declared that the accused would not be tried in military courts but in criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary or special law of the land. On December 13, in a 5-1 majority verdict, the SC conditionally suspended its Oct 23 ruling, pending a final judgment as it heard a set of ICAs. The appeals against the verdict had been filed by the then-caretaker federal government as well as the provincial ones in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Sindh had denied filing a purported plea on the same matter and was not in-
cluded among the petitions taken up earlier. The defence ministry had also moved an ICA, requesting the apex court to suspend the verdict’s operation during the pendency of the appeal. In January, a petition was filed by Faisal Siddiqui on behalf of some of those challenging the trials to restrain federal and provincial governments from engaging a private counsel to plead the matter. At the last hearing on Jan 29, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, who has since retired, referred the ICAs back to a three-judge committee for the constitution of a larger bench. On March 19, former CJP Jawwad S. Khawaja, who is one of the petitioners to challenge the military trials, had requested the apex court for an early hearing of the appeals, contending that the continued presence of civilians in military custody was “beyond compensation”. Today, Khawaja Ahmed appeared before the court as the counsel for ex-CJP Khawaja while Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan and KP Additional Advocate General (AAG) Syed Kausar Ali Shah were also present. Salman Akram Raja and Faisal Siddiqui appeared as the counsels for their clients who had challenged the trials while Aitzaz Ahsan, who was also one of the petitioners, was also present. The KP government requested the court to withdraw its appeal against the Oct 23 verdict, presenting a resolution passed by the provincial cabinet. The SC ordered AGP Awan to furnish the details of the verdicts reserved by the military courts till March 28 and adjourned the hearing till then. At the outset of the hearing, Justice Khawaja’s counsel objected to the size of
the bench. “103 suspects are in custody. Their families want to be included in the case proceedings,” Ahmed said, urging the court to allow the suspects’ families to be present for the proceedings. To this, Justice Khan replied that the courtroom was fully occupied, adding, “There is no objection on [the families] coming to the court; we will look at this matter.” Justice Khawaja’s counsel further requested the SC to constitute a nine-member larger bench to hear the appeals. Ahmed argued that his client had sought the same in his petition. “It is my request to the court to urge the SC committee to constitute a ninemember bench,” he said. At this point during the hearing, the KP government urged the court to allow it to withdraw its appeal against the Oct 23 verdict, presenting a resolution passed by the provincial cabinet. “We want to withdraw the intra-court appeal,” the KP AAG said, at which the court noted that the plea could not be withdrawn based on a cabinet resolution and told the lawyer to file an official application. During the hearing, the petitioners challenging the military trials also objected to a private counsel pleading the matter. Faisal Siddiqui said the AGP had filed five ICAs and “certain ministries” had sought the services of private counsels. “The AGP himself has filed the appeals so why should the public’s money be spent on private counsels?” he asked. Ex-CJP Khawaja’s counsel urged the court to refer the case back to the judges’ committee to reconstitute the bench. Ahmed recalled that his petition had sought the same earlier.
PM orders swift action against tax defaulters
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FIA assures SC of withdrawing cases against journalists ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) assured the Supreme Court on Monday that it will withdraw cases filed against journalists amidst allegations of harassment. The cases were registered over a “malicious campaign” that allegedly targeted the judiciary and other state institutions on social media. The case was presided over by a bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. The CJP remarked that the court had also taken notice of journalists being harassed in 2021. “If action had been taken promptly, perhaps we would not be facing this today – that matter was more severe than a mere FIA notice,” observed the chief justice. He also highlighted the apparent reluctance of some to take a firm stance before the court. The legal counsel representing the journalists drew attention to Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), flagging its frequent misuse as a concern. The court responded that the FIA has committed to withdrawing cases against journalists Amir Mir and Imran Shafqat. FIA officials also confirmed that applications will be submitted to retract the charges against the aforementioned individuals formally. The court then adjourned the hearing till March 27. Earlier this month, the SC had castigated the FIA for harassing media personnel, while noting that authorities issued notices to journalists under the guise of investigating an online campaign against the superior judiciary—an investigation that the SC never ordered.
SHEHBAZ SUMMONS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR DIGITAL STRATEGY AND AUTOMATED TRACK AND TRACE SYSTEM PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday issued urgent directives to take decisive action against tax defaulters and evaders, signalling a renewed crackdown on financial misconduct in the country. In a high-level meeting held in Islamabad regarding the implementation of the track and trace system, the premier chaired discussions aimed at bolstering tax enforcement measures across various sectors of the economy. A committee has been tasked with identifying obstacles within the system and pinpointing those responsible for tax theft within a strict seven-day timeframe, the PM Office media wing said in a press release. The committee would be tasked to submit proposals for enforcing automatic tax system in factories and industries.
PM Shehbaz questioned as to why the system was still inactive, saying that it should have been made functional in the tobacco, sugar, cement and fertiliser industries in the last two years and that the system should be placed in other important sectors of the economy. He said that all the legal impediments in the enforcement of the track and trace system should be removed. The prime minister directed that the system should be enforced at all the production lines of cement factories, besides he summoned a comprehensive plan for digital strategy and automated track and trace system. He further directed that all factories resisting the implementation of the track and trace system should be immediately sealed. He expressed that besides generating revenues, the said system could also be utilised to identify counterfeit and substandard products.
The prime minister called for an end to the circulation of fake and unregistered cigarettes and emphasised their destruction. He highlighted that the country was grappling with economic issues, exacerbated by the connivance of mafia elements causing harm to the national economy. Additionally, the prime minister emphasised seeking assistance from international institutions in implementing the track and trace system. During the meeting, detailed information was provided about the challenges hindering the automated implementation of the track and trace system in the cement, sugar, fertiliser, and tobacco sectors. It was reported that out of 14 tobacco factories, the system was fully functional, while 12 others had been sealed due to noncompliance. The system was fully operational in the fertiliser industry, but encountered issues in sugar and cement fac-
tories, which were being addressed due to technical reasons. Furthermore, the meeting was informed that raids were being conducted on ware-
houses nationwide to combat smuggling. The prime minister directed law enforcement agencies to support the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in this endeavour.