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IHC JudGes’ leTTer: JusTICe (r) Tassaduq JIllanI To Head probe CommIssIon
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PTI rejects ex-CJP’s appointment to head ‘letter-gate’ inquiry commission
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
HE federal government on Saturday formed an inquiry commission headed by former CJP Justice (retired) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to investigate the allegations of intelligence agencies in the judiciary levelled by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani is a Pakistani judge who served as the 21st chief justice of Pakistan from 2013 to 2014, says in media reports. The announcement of the formation of the committee was made by PM Shehbaz Sharif while addressing the federal cabinet session. A day later, calls emerged from various quarters for a probe into the investigation, amid which Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa summoned a full court meeting of the Supreme Court’s judges. Terms of Reference After a meeting between CJP Isa and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, the duo decided to form a commission to investigate the concerns of interference in judicial affairs following the cabinet’s approval. According to an official statement issued following the huddle, the federal cabinet also denied the allegation of executive’s interference in judicial matters as levelled by the judges in the letter and termed them “inappropriate”. The cabinet members were of the unanimous opinion that the Constitution enunciates the principle of separation of powers among the state institutions.
On the occasion, the PM reaffirmed his resolve for the independence of the judiciary and the principle of constitutional separation of powers. He took the cabinet members into confidence about his consultation and meeting with the CJP after the letter. The cabinet fully endorsed and supported the PM’s decisions and actions taken so far in this regard. According to the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the inquiry body released following the federal cabinet meeting on Saturday, the federal cabinet approved the appointment of former
Govt mulls ‘extending’ Chief Justice’s tenure ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
The federal government is considering to consolidate the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan for three years as CJP Qazi Faez Isa is set to retire on Oct 25, 2024, ARY News reported on Saturday, citing sources. Sources told ARY News that the government would introduce amendments in the Constitution if a firm decision is taken to consolidate Chief Justice of Pakistan’s tenure for three years. It merits mention that the services of Chief of Air Staff Zaheer Ahmed Babar and Director General of the InterServices Intelligence (DG-ISI) have already been extended. Sources added that a committee, constituted in this regard, has started preparations for the constitutional amendment. A decision in this regard will be made following the Senate elections. According to the Constitution, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and each of the other Judges of the Supreme Court shall be appointment by the President in accordance with Article 175A. Article 179 of Constitution of Pakistan stated: “A judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty five years, unless he sooner resigns or is removed from office in accordance with the Constitution”. It is pertinent to mention here that Justice Aijazul Ahsan, the third senior-most judge in the Supreme Court who was destined to become the next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) in Oct this year, resigned after his colleague Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi stepped down following allegations of misconduct. The abrupt resignation will benefit the next senior judge, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, since he will become the next chief justice soon after the retirement of CJP Isa on Oct 25, 2024. Otherwise, Justice Shah was expected to hold the coveted office from Aug 3, 2025. Justice Shah also replaced Justice Ahsan on the Supreme Judicial Council, as well as the three-member special committee in charge of bench formation.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday rejected the appointment of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as head of the inquiry commission constituted to investigate the letter penned by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, alleging ‘interference’ by intelligence agencies in judicial matters. Earlier, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, named Tassaduq Jillani to lead the inquiry commission, besides approving the establishment of the inquiry commission. Jillani, often referred to as ‘the gentleman judge’ for his mild demeanor, retired from his post in July 2014. This decision follows a recent endorsement by the Supreme Court of a proposal for a commission, led by a retired judge, to examine the concerns raised in the letter penned by the six IHC judges regarding alleged interference by agencies in judicial affairs. Accepting the role of heading the com-
mission, the former chief justice stated that he would initiate the proceedings after Eidul Fitr, pending the official notification. Opposing the appointment of Jillani, the PTI demanded the establishment of a commission pattern after the Memogate and Election Inquiry Commission, which were led by the then-Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk. “We reject this commission,” stated PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan in a statement, emphasising the necessity for a commission comprising of serving judges. “Such a commission should be patterned after the Memogate and Election Inquiry Commission,” added Barrister Gohar. Meanwhile, another PTI leader, Sher Afzal Marwat, labeled Justice Jillani as unsuitable for the role. Marwat announced via the microblogging platform ‘X’ that PTI intends to challenge Jillani’s appointment. “After due deliberation, PTI will contest the appointment of Tassaduq Jillani and lay out a plan for the future,” Marwat asserted. STAFF REPORT
CJP Jillani as the head of the commission. According to the ToRs, the commission will fully investigate the allegations of the IHC judges and determine their veracity, if any. It will also investigate if any official was directly
involved in judicial interference and suggest action against any agency, department or state institution based on the facts unearthed.
‘In a first’: ATC sentences 51 May 9 accused to five years in prison GUJRANWALA
STAFF REPORT
A Gujranwala anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday sentenced 51 convicts to five-year prison terms in a case pertaining to the attack on Gujranwala cantonment following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9 last year. More than 100 civilians are under trial for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed Imran’s arrest on May 9 last year. The Rahwali Cantt police had registered a case against suspects involved in an attack on the cantonment in Gujranwala in which dozens of people were injured and one person was killed. At the time, Senior Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Usman Tariq Butt had also received injuries. The first information report was registered under the anti-terrorism law as well as on the charges of attempted murder. The sentence was announced today by ATC Judge Natasha Naseem Sipra. As per a warrant of commitment on sentence of the
convicts, the rioters were charged according to the following terms: • rigorous imprisonment for five years and a Rs10,000 fine, with simple imprisonment of a further 10 days in case of default under Section 6(2i) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. • rigorous imprisonment for five years and a Rs10,000 fine, with simple imprisonment of a further 10 days in case of default under Section 6(2m) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. • rigorous imprisonment for five years and a Rs10,000 fine, with simple imprisonment of a further 10 days in case of default under Section 6(2n) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. • rigorous imprisonment for one year under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Section 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon). • rigorous imprisonment for one year under PPC Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions). • rigorous imprisonment for one year under PPC Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from
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discharge of his duty). • rigorous imprisonment for one year under PPC Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty). • rigorous imprisonment for one year under PPC Section 427 (mischief causing damage amounting to Rs50). • rigorous imprisonment for one year under PPC Section 431 (mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel). The warrant said the sentences would run concurrently and the convicts would be entitled to the benefit of Section 382B of the Criminal Procedure Code, which says that the period of detention of a prisoner has to be considered in the prison term when a person is convicted by a trial court. The application of the above section means that the detention periods served so far will also be counted as a part of the prison terms announced and thus subtracted from the highest term of five years. The warrant authorised the superintendent of Central Jail Gujranwala to receive the convicts in his custody and execute the sentences in accordance with the law.
Finance Minister urges banks to raise financing for priority sectors g
ASKS PAKISTAN BANKS ASSOCIATION TO LEAD TASK FORCE TO DEVISE ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES PROFIT
AGENCIES
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has urged the banking sector to support the government’s development agenda by increasing financing to priority sectors, including agriculture, small and medium
enterprises and Information Technology. He was chairing a meeting in Karachi that was attended by Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed and CEOs and Presidents of various leading banks of Pakistan. The Finance Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with the banking sector to address
the financing needs of priority sectors. Muhammad Aurangzeb asked the Pakistan Banks’ Association to lead a task force comprising representatives from the banking sector, government, and relevant stakeholders, to devise actionable strategies to overcome the existing challenges and bottlenecks hindering the growth of priority sectors.
Imran appoints focal persons for prison meetings after SOPs agreement RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan has appointed Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat, and Barrister Umair Niazi as focal persons for conducting meetings with him in prison. This decision comes following the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) between Imran Khan and the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, under which both parties have mutually agreed and signed. According to the SOPs, three focal persons have been designated by Imran Khan to facilitate meetings in the jail. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat and Barrister Umair Niazi will oversee the organization of these meetings as per the agreed protocols. Under the SOPs, each focal person will nominate two individuals for meetings with Imran Khan in jail. These meetings are scheduled to take place twice a week, with Tuesdays reserved for meetings with Imran Khan’s family members and Thursdays for interactions with lawyers and other political figures. However, any meeting requested under court orders will be subject to Imran Khan’s consent. Moreover, it has been confirmed that the ban on meetings with Imran Khan and other prisoners in Adiala Jail has been lifted. Adiala Jail Superintendent Asad Javed Waraich affirmed the lifting of the ban, stating that now all prisoners, including Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Parvez Elahi, can meet according to the prescribed procedure. This development marks a significant shift, allowing for improved communication and interaction between Imran Khan and other inmates, in accordance with established protocols and legal requirements.
PM Sharif shares five-year economic plan with cabinet
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RESPONSIBILITY WITH ACCOUNTABILITY WILL BE HALLMARK OF FIVE-YEAR ROADMAP, PM OPINES PROFIT
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged his cabinet members to immediately commence work towards achieving the targets set in a five-year roadmap as shared with all the relevant ministries. Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, the prime minister said that he had shared broad parameters of five-year plan with the relevant ministries by setting various targets to be achieved immediately without wasting time. Under the parameters, he said the ministries concerned should evolve mechanism, hire human resources and formulate strategies to meet the set targets. “Responsibility with accountability will be the hallmark of the five-year roadmap as
no system in the world can progress without it,” he opined. The prime minister said that for the purpose, all the available resources and tools should be explored besides, those not available immediately be procured. He said that for overcoming delays and red tape, the forum like Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was available, adding for hiring of global consultants, the relevant rules should also be followed. The prime minister stressed for utilization of country’s talented human resource for achieving the targets. He also urged the ministries to adopt innovative tools and thinking, besides, reducing the file work burden. “We have five-year term to transform the economic situation of the country, but for
that purpose, we have to commence our respective work immediately,” he emphasised. For achieving self-sufficiency, the prime minister said that they had to reduce the burden of foreign debts, increase GDP, create jobs, develop agriculture and IT sectors, bring reforms in energy sector and end smuggling. When the wheel of economy moved on, the country would achieve progress, he said, adding that for the economic stability, they have to take the required initiatives themselves. The prime minister said that FBR digitalization plan was underway. About Rs 27 billion were stuck in the appellate courts and for expeditious disposal of these cases, they would bring competent judges with enhanced incentives, he added. He said the Chief Justice of Pakistan, dur-
ing a recent meeting with him, had also assured of complete support in this regard. The prime minister noted that efforts should be made for reducing the official expenditures. He said achieving $25 billion IT export target was not unfeasible. The prime minister also appreciated the interim government for recovering Rs58 billion rupees in power sector and said that for the first time in the country’s history, such a target was achieved in the shortest term. The prime minister also assured to provide all possible resources for the defence of the country, adding that shaheed officers and personnel of the armed forces and security forces were the heroes of the nation. The prime minister said on 26 March, an unfortunate horrifying incident occurred in Bisham in which five Chinese and one
local were killed. He said the enemies of Pakistan that did not want that Pak-China friendship should progress, adding that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in different fields was exemplary. The prime minister said that they stood with the Chinese government and the people over the tragic incident. He recounted that he had visited the Chinese embassy and conveyed to the Chinese President, Premier and the Chinese people their condolences on behalf of the entire Pakistani nation. The Chinese leadership was assured that the investigation would be carried out immediately and the responsible would get exemplary punishment, he added. The prime minister reiterated that they would not rest till elimination of terrorism.