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NO MEDDLING IN JUDICIAL AFFAIRS, CJP TELLS PM
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Friday, 29 March, 2024 I 18 Ramazan, 1445
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SAYS UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY BE ALLOWED TO BE COMPROMISED
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
MID the controversy cropped up after a letter written by six judges against the purported ‘interference,’ Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Thursday reiterated the sanctity of the judiciary, declaring that under no circumstances the autonomy of judges and supremacy of judiciary would be compromised. His remarks came during a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Supreme Court earlier on Thursday. On the other hand, addressing a presser after the PM met the Chief Justice of Pakistan on Thursday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the federal government would place a letter from six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) alleging interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus for consideration before the federal cabinet to constitute an inquiry commission. The meeting between the CJP and the prime minister, was convened in the wake of revelations by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial proceedings. Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan were also in attendance alongside with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court.
LAW MINISTER SAYS GOVT DECIDES TO PLACE ‘JUDGES’ LETTER’ BEFORE CABINET MEETING TODAY
PTI rejects ‘inquiry commission’ to probe IHC judges letter
A couple of days ago, the six judges penned an open letter to the Supreme Judicial Council, detailing coercive tactics employed by intelligence agencies to influence court proceedings. Responding swiftly to the gravity of the situation, CJP Qazi Faez Isa called for a series of high-level consultations, culminating in today’s meeting with the prime minister. A subsequent press release from the apex court outlined the meticulous deliberations undertaken in response to the IHC judges’ letter. During the meeting, CJP Isa emphasised the pivotal role of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law and fortifying democracy. He unequivocally stated that any executive interference in the affairs and workings of judges would not be tolerated, highlighting the indispensable nature of judicial autonomy. In a significant development, a proposal was tabled to constitute an inquiry commission under the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2017, to delve into the allegations of interference. The commission, to be headed by a retired Judge of unblemished integrity, aims to unravel the complexities surrounding the issue and safeguard judicial independence. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in response, pledged his full support for the initiative, vowing to convene a meeting of the federal cabinet to seek approval for the commission’s formation. He echoed the sentiments expressed by CJP Isa, affirming his commitment to upholding an independent judiciary and undertaking nec-
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Core Committee strongly rejected the formation of an inquiry commission by the federal government to probe the contents of the startling letter written by Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) judges to Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) detailing the intelligence agencies’ interference into judicial affairs. PTI Core Committee held its emergency meeting and vehemently rebuffed the investigation of the letter through an inquiry commission. During the meeting, the forum expressed great concern over the meeting of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the most sensitive issue related to the country’s judiciary and legal interests. PTI Core Committee reiterated its demand to present the issue before a larger bench of the Supreme Court and to process it in the open court. They stated that the letter of the six judges of the IHC was an indictment against the agencies of the federal government. The forum noted that the inquiry of the startling letter of the serving judges of IHC through
a retired judge was a mockery of an independent, impartial and transparent investigation. PTI Core Committee asserted that in their letter, the IHC judges exposed the fundamental challenges to the very existence of the judiciary before the CJP and the SJC. They went on to say that the mandate theft government was the biggest beneficiary of the ongoing lawlessness and unconstitutional interference in the country. The participants stated that an unelected prime minister who seized the power through stealing public mandate was neither capable to conduct any kind of far investigation nor any will such inquiry would have any credibility. PTI Core Committee demanded that the Chief Justice should provide justice to his fellow judges instead of leaving the future of the judiciary at the mercy of the administration consisting of touts. The forum stressed the need that in the light of the demand of the IHC judges, a judicial conference should also be convened and the judges of all levels should be given an opportunity to present the facts on this subject before the nation. STAFF REPORT
essary measures to safeguard its autonomy. Following the meeting, CJP Isa reconvened a full court meeting to apprise the judges of the developments. The swift and decisive actions taken by the judiciary and the executive have underscored the seriousness with which the issue of judicial independence is being addressed. In the aftermath of the revelations, bar associations across the country rallied behind the judges, sounding the alarm over the perceived threat to judicial independence. The collective response reflects a unified front in defence of the judiciary’s autonomy amidst a charged political climate, where recent court rulings have come under intense scrutiny. ‘Govt decides to place judges’ letter before
federal cabinet’ Addressing the media, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that foremostly, there was a need to investigate the matter, adding it was decided that the government would place the judges’ letter before Friday’s federal cabinet session and the prime minister would strive for a neutral, non-partisan and retired legal personality to be requested to head an inquiry commission and submit a report after investigating in accordance with the law. He added that the premier also reassured that it was the government’s duty to ensure an investigation into the matter and that such allegations, if they were true, did not reoccur in the future.
Chinese military offers Pakistan assistance to fight terrorism
Gandapur, Naqvi agree to enhance coordination for peace, security in KP PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Minister Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday agreed to improve coordination between the federal and provincial authorities aims at enhancing peace and security in the province. The Interior Minister visited the KP Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar to discuss law and order and other security issues with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Both the minister and the chief minister discussed at length matters pertaining to peace and security in the province. During the meeting, both they agreed on improving coordination for enforcing to enhance peace and security in the province. They condemned the recent attacks on Chinese nationals and expressed sympathy with the Chinese government and families of the deceased. It was decided in the meeting to bring the perpetrators of the incident to justice and eradicate terrorism. On the occasion, Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that peace and security were the top priorities of his government, adding that protection of life and property of the common was the foremost objective, which would be ensure at all costs. He stated that efforts would be made to strengthen the police and other law enforcement agencies in the province. The Chief Minister also stated that concrete steps would be taken under a coherent strategy to achieve this objective. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been most affected by terrorism and is at the forefront in the war against terrorism.
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BEIJING
STAFF REPORT
In a significant development, Chinese military has offered its assistance to Pakistan army in fighting menace of terrorism. “The Chinese military is willing to work with the Pakistani side to enhance the capability of the two countries to tackle various security risks and challenges, including terrorist attacks, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability,” spokesperson of the China Ministry of National Defense, Col Wu Qian, said on Thursday. The statement comes on heels of successive terrorist attacks on Pakistan army installations in past few days and weeks. The statement is important in view of recent terrorist attack on a bus carrying five Chinese engineers to Dasu Dam site as the vehicle was attacked by terrorists at Bisham which left six people killed including five Chinese and one Pakistani national. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, true friends and good brothers through thick and thin and share weal and woe, he said during his monthly briefing while responding to a question regarding participation of the PLA tri-services contingent in the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 23. The spokesperson remarked, Chinese people often call Pakistan
by our affectionate name for its ironclad brother. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries, our two militaries have maintained frequent and close high-level exchanges and achieved positive outcomes in areas including joint exercises and training professional exchanges, personnel training and equipment and technological cooperation, he added. The Chinese military is willing to work with the Pakistani side to contin-
uously enhance our capability of tackling various security risks and challenges, especially our ability to respond to terrorist attacks and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, he said. During the Pakistan Day military parade, the 36-member PLA Guard of Honor escorted the Chinese national flag while marching across the avenue and shouted Long live Pakistan-China friendship in Urdu in response to the audience’s warm applause.
SC grants military courts conditional authority to announce reserved verdicts ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) conditionally permitted military courts to deliver their pending judgments, specifically in cases related to the May 9 violence, ensuring the possibility of releasing accused individuals before Eid. This directive came from a six-member larger bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, which included Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Musarat Hilali, and Irfan Saadat Khan. The SC emphasized that verdicts in certain cases should be expedited. In response, the Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, committed to providing leniency for those facing shorter sentences. The court also requested an update on these proceedings and postponed the hearing until the end of April. The initiation of this legal discourse was a challenge to the SC’s October 23 decision, which opposed the military trial of civilians. Following the arrest of Imran Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the Al-Qadir Trust case, riots erupted on May 9, prompting PTI’s chairman and others to contest the SC’s decision on civilian trials in military courts. The appellants urged the apex court to suspend its earlier judgment pending a review, as the accused sought trial in military courts. In a subsequent report to the SC, the government disclosed the arrest of 102 individuals post the May 9 and 10 events, highlighting their involvement in assaults on key military sites across various cities.
PM directs disciplinary action, exemplary punishment to officers involved in power theft ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to initiate immediate disciplinary action against officers involved in power theft and awarding exemplary punishment to them for abetting the crime and causing loss of billions of dollars to national exchequer. Chairing a level meeting to tackle the electricity theft issue here on Thursday, the prime minister said it was their responsibility to create a stable system by taking measures like launching a campaign to stop electricity theft. The prevailing economic situation of the country could not bear the problem of electricity theft, he added. Premier Shehbaz Sharif said that a strat-
egy should be formulated at the earliest for decreasing line losses and for upgradation of transmission lines. He said generation companies were a burden on the national exchequer and work should be started on their privatization at the earliest. A report on complete plan for solarization of tubewells in Balochistan should be presented, he added. During the meeting, it was decided to install smart meters on transformers under the public sector development programme. Feeder monitors would be deployed at the feeders which were causing huge losses. The meeting was briefed that the areas with low rate of electricity theft would have less loadshedding. An amendment was brought in section 462(O) of Pakistan Penal Code through an
ordinance to make electricity theft a cognizable offense. Due to the anti-theft campaign in September last year, the rate of electricity theft had seen a considerable drop. PM Shehbaz Sharif said under the antitheft campaign, since September 2023, Rs 57 billion were recovered. A whole of the government approach was adopted during the campaign to stop theft of electricity. Under the electricity anti-theft campaign, 45,777 people in Punjab, 1250 in Sindh, 5121 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 181 were arrested in Balochistan. During the campaign, 350 personnel of distribution companies were suspended for their bad performance or abetment. It was told that the task forces set up at district and division levels for stopping theft of electricity would be given part of the re-
covery amount for their good performance. Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Min-
ister for Industry and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik and relevant officers attended the meeting.