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Saturday, 13 April, 2024 I 4 Shawwal, 1445
Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 284 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
JUSTICE YAHYA AFRIDI RECUSES HIMSELF FROM SUO MOTU HEARING JUDGES’ LETTER
SAYS MATTERS RAISED IN LETTER SHOULD BE VIEWED AS PER SJC CODE OF CONDUCT
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ISLAMABAD
JUSTICE MINALLAH SAYS HE ‘CAN’T AGREE’ WITH GRAPHS 1-12 OF WRITTEN ORDER
STAFF REPORT
USTICE Yahya Afridi recused himself from the suo motu hearing of the case pertaining to the letter written by Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges against the interference in judicial affairs by intelligence agencies. Justice Afridi, who was part of the seven-member bench hearing the case, mentioned his recusal in a note with the written order issued following the first hearing. Citing his reason for the recusal, the judge maintained that the matters raised in the IHC judges’ letter should be viewed in accordance with the Supreme Judicial Council’s code of conduct. “High Courts are independent courts under the Constitution. Article 184/3 should not be invoked on the independence of high courts,” Justice Yahya maintained. The seven-member bench conducting the hearing of suo motu case is headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprised six other judges — Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. During the first hearing of the matter on April 3, the country’s top judge said the SC will not tolerate any interference in judicial affairs and is taking the letter by Islamabad High Court judges “very seriously”. Justice Yahya, in his note, maintained that the suo motu notice was taken by the apex court in “good faith”, however, it may harm the independence
of high courts and their chief justices. Meanwhile, SC’s Justice Athar Minallah also included an additional note which mentioned that he “could not convince himself” to agree with paragraphs one to 12 of the written order. In his note, the apex court’s judge maintained that “interference” in cases with political implications cannot be ruled out. The judge added that the court itself has accepted the same in the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto reference, while the Asghar Khan case is also enough to see the extent of the interference. Terming the IHC judges “whistleblowers”, Justice Minallah insisted that the letter of the judges shows that they kept raising the issue at every relevant forum. However, the “institution” did not respond
Joint inquiry launched into Bahawalnagar incident, says ISPR
COAS Asim Munir celebrates Eid with troops in North Waziristan RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
despite the seriousness of the matter. The high court judges did what a judge is bound to do by oath, he stated, adding that there is no reason to doubt them. “These judges who raise their voice should not face problems,” the judge wrote in his note. The high court judges have sworn to uphold the Constitution, he added. He also highlighted that the question of whether the prime minister can be summoned or not is yet to be considered by the full court. “It is yet to be determined whether the independence of the judiciary is affected by the constitution of commissions by the government or not. “It is not appropriate to comment on the questions that are before the court,”
Justice Minallah maintained. The SC judge stated that the administration must prove before the full court that there is no interference on its behalf. THE ORDER: Meanwhile, the bench — in the written order of the hearing — has issued notices to the Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Pakistan Bar Council and the SC Bar seeking suggestions regarding the judiciary’s response on the matter as an institution. The bench’s order read that CJP Isa and senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a full court meeting and consultation with high court judges. In the order, the bench stated that a suo motu notice was taken owing to the seriousness of the matter, while the meeting with the premier was also held considering the issue’s gravity. The order mentioned that the law minister, as per the AGP, visited former top judge Justice (retd) Tasadduq Jilani’s house and met him. The former chief justice was provided with the proposed terms of reference (TORs) of the inquiry commission. Unfortunately, a malicious campaign was launched against the exCJP on social media, it added. Only the secretary of the concerned department can be summoned through a judicial order, the order read, adding that it was stated during the hearing that the prime minister and federal ministers have an exception under Article 248. According to Article 248, the premier and law minister cannot be summoned. Therefore, an exception was referred to the prime minister in the full court meeting.
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RAWALPINDI
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir celebrated Eidul Fitr with troops during his visit to Miran Shah & Spinwam in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement. Commencing with Eid prayers at the frontline, the army chief offered supplications for enduring stability and prosperity of Pakistan, the ISPR said. He conveyed heartfelt Eidul Fitr greetings to the troops, commending their unwavering dedication and service to the nation. Subsequently, COAS Asim Munir received a comprehensive briefing on operational readiness and the prevailing security landscape, with a specific focus on border security measures along the Pak-Afghan Border. Acknowledging the formation’s monumental efforts in fostering peace and stability, COAS attributed these strides to the sacrifices of our martyrs, facilitating secure environment conducive to socio-economic development, particularly in the newly merged districts and throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Emphasizing the adverse impact of terrorism upon development, COAS underscored the collective imperative to safeguard the hard-earned peace. He urged all stakeholders, especially the local populace, to remain vigilant against adversarial elements seeking to destabilize the region. “Maintain unwavering focus on your professional duties in service to the nation,” COAS concluded. Earlier, on arrival, COAS was warmly received by Commander Peshawar Corps.
STAFF REPORT
The military on Friday announced that a comprehensive joint inquiry, involving security and police officials, will be undertaken to ensure a thorough and fair investigation into allegations of law violations and misuse of authority in the “unfortunate events” that unfolded in Bahawalnagar. The Bahawalnagar incident drew widespread attention after videos, depicting individuals in army uniforms purportedly assaulting police officials circulated on social media, sparked outrage among citizens and journalists alike. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement addressing the incident, emphasizing that prompt action was taken to address and resolve the matter collaboratively between military and police authorities. However, the ISPR lamented that certain elements with ulterior motives exploited the situation to propagate divisive narratives on social media, aiming to sow discord between state institutions and government bodies. Earlier, the Punjab Police also
Pakistan’s economy to grow by 1.9% in FY2024: ADB g
GROWTH IS FORECASTED TO REACH 2.8% IN FY25, INFLATION TO DROP TO 15%, REPORT PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) latest report outlines the economic trajectory for Pakistan, projecting a subdued growth in FY2024 followed by a pickup in FY2025 contingent on effective economic reforms. In its detailed report “April 2024 ‘Asian Development Outlook”, the ADB said that Pakistan’s real GDP is expected to grow by 1.9% in FY2024, primarily driven by a rebound in private sector investment due to progress in reform measures and a more stable government environment. Factors such as increased private consumption and higher workers’ remittances, along with a shift towards a market-driven exchange rate, are anticipated to support this growth. However, challenges such as low confidence, rising living costs, and tighter macroeconomic policies under the IMF program are expected to restrain domestic demand. In FY2025, growth is forecasted to reach 2.8%, driven by improved confidence, reduced macroeconomic imbalances, structural reforms progress, political stability, and better external conditions. The report also addresses inflation expectations, anticipating a decrease to 15.0% in FY2025 as macroeconomic stabilization efforts restore confidence. The central bank has maintained a tightened monetary policy to address inflationary pressures, keeping the policy interest rate at 22.0% with a commitment to reach the medium-term target range of 5%–7%. Regarding the current account, a relaxation of import restrictions alongside economic recovery is expected to widen the deficit, projected to be 1.5% of GDP in FY2024, the report said. The report notes a decline in the deficit in the first 7 months of FY2024 compared to the same period in FY2023, attributing it to factors like weak demand growth, lower global food and fuel prices, and increased domestic production of certain commodities. However, a resurgence in imports is expected as domestic demand strengthens. The report highlights the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, aiming for a primary surplus of 0.4% of GDP and an overall deficit of 7.5% of GDP in FY2024, with gradual declines in subsequent years. Progress has been made in revenue generation and spending rationalization, with increased revenue from various sources and controlled expenditure contributing to this trend. The report also reflects on the economic challenges faced in FY2023, including floods, political unrest, and policy challenges that led to a contraction in the economy. These challenges impacted private consumption, investment, and production across sectors, resulting in a decline in GDP.
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim appointed acting CJ in PHC ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
denounced what they termed as “false propaganda” surrounding the incident on various social media platforms. Clarifying the situation, the police asserted that the incident had been misrepresented and blown out of proportion. They stressed that upon the emergence of unverified videos, both the military and police promptly launched a joint investigation, which led to the peaceful resolution of the matter. Refuting claims of conflict between the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police personnel, the police emphasised the ongoing cooperation between the two entities in
combating terrorism and crime within the province. They urged social media users to refrain from spreading misinformation and falsehoods. Although details regarding the exact cause of the altercation were not provided by the provincial police, it was confirmed that senior officers from both sides facilitated a peace agreement between the involved parties. A video capturing the reconciliation ceremony depicted officers from both institutions expressing solidarity and support for each other in the presence of their respective superiors.
The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, appointed the most senior judge, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, as the Acting Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court. In another development, the Law Ministry in Islamabad has issued a significant notification regarding judicial appointments in Sindh and Peshawar. Meanwhile, in a move to bolster the Sindh High Court’s bench, the President has appointed six additional judges, including a female judge. Among the newly appointed judges are Justice Sana Akram Minhas, Justice Amjad Ali, Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, Justice Muhammad Abdul Rehman, and Justice Arbab Ali Hakro, all of whom are poised to contribute significantly to the Sindh High Court’s judicial proceedings.
Important issues need to be addressed as Pakistan engages for new loan, says IMF chief g
HIGHLIGHTS TAX BASE, PUBLIC SPENDING, AND A TRANSPARENT ENVIRONMENT AS ISSUES NEED TO BE RESOLVED PROFIT
REUTERS
Pakistan is in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a potential follow-up program to its nine-month, $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA), global lender’s chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday, adding that it had important issues to solve. Georgieva told an event at the Atlantic Council think tank, that Pakistan was successfully completing its existing program with the IMF and its economy was perform-
ing somewhat better, with reserves now being built up. “There is a commitment to continue on this path, and the country is turning to the fund for potentially having a follow-up program,” Georgieva said, flagging issues that the struggling South Asian nation still needed to address. “There are very important issues to be solved in Pakistan: the tax base, how the richer part of society contributes to the economy, the way public spending is being directed and of course, creating … a more transparent environment.”
Pakistan and the IMF last month reached a staff-level agreement on the second and last review of the $3 billion stand-by arrangement, which, if cleared by the global lender’s board, will release about $1.1 billion to the struggling South Asian nation. The IMF’s board is expected to review the matter in late April, but no firm date has been set, a spokesperson said. Both sides have also spoken about negotiating a longer-term bailout and continuing with necessary policy reforms to rein in deficits, build up reserves and manage soaring debt servicing.