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NO VERDICT IN IDDAT CASE AS JUDGE SEEKS TRANSFER OF APPEALS TO ANOTHER COURT Thursday, 30 May, 2024 I |21 Zil-Qadah, 1445
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 330 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
JUDGE WRITES TO IHC, SAYING COMPLAINANT g PTI SUPPORTERS, LAWYERS ANGRY AT ALWAYS TRIED TO FRUSTRATE, DELAY MANEKA’S ‘DELAYING TACTICS’ ASSAULT PROCEEDINGS ON ONE PRETEXT OR ANOTHER HIM IN AND OUTSIDE COURTROOM
PTI cries foul at ‘pre-planned’ delay in Iddat case verdict ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
OLLOWING a frenzied courtroom hearing of the Iddat case on Wednesday, the judge sought its transfer to another court without announcing the reserved judgment, expected to overturn the incarcerated premier Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s conviction. Additional District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand left the courtroom after complainant Khawar Maneka expressed no confidence in him. The complainant made emotional arguments after asking the court to grant him 10 minutes to speak. Shortly after, the judge wrote to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting it to fix the case for hearing in some other court. Judge Arjumand wrote in the letter “Though earlier application of complainants has already been dismissed in
this regard on April 30, 2024, but I think it will not be appropriate to decide the case when specific objection has been raised on the Presiding Officer.” It added “As arguments at length were heard in the matter, therefore, it is humbly submitted to transfer the appeals to any other court of competent jurisdiction.” “It is further submitted that complainant and his counsel always tried to frustrate and delay the proceedings on one pretext or other, therefore, time frame may be fixed for disposal of appeals,” the judge wrote. Today’s hearing As the hearing commenced, an hour later than scheduled, Maneka appeared before the court along with his counsel Rizwan Abbasi. The judge observed that prosecutor Abbasi was yet to present arguments on two points, following which he stepped onto the dais. However, Maneka requested the court for some time to present his arguments. At this, the judge asked
‘NA-47 Victory’: Tribunal gives MNA Tariq Fazal Ch last chance to submit reply ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Election Tribunal on Wednesday gave PML-N MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry from NA-47 a last and final opportunity to submit his reply in a case of alleged rigging. Election Tribunal, led by Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, heard the petition of PTI’s Shoaib Shaheen against alleging rigging in the elections. The tribunal ordered Chaudhry to submit Form 45, 46, and 47 along with an affidavit by June 5. Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri issued a five-page written order, highlighting Tariq Fazal Ch’s failure to comply with the previous court orders to submit the required forms. Earlier on May 21, the Election Tribunal had given the final opportunity to the Returning Officers (ROs) of three constituencies of the federal capital to enable presence of their counsel or to appear in person on the next date of hearing. It warned that in case of noncompliance, warrants of arrest shall be issued. The election tribunal comprising IHC judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri issued the directions while hearing the three separate petitions moved by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates including Shoaib Shaheen Advocate, Syed Ali Bukhari Advocate and Aamer Mughal challenging the election results of three constituencies of the federal capital. In Feb 8, 2024 elections, the PML-N won all the three National Assembly seats from Islamabad and subsequently the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notified the successful candidates. According to the ECP notification, PML-N’s Anjum Aqeel was declared winner from NA-46, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry from NA-47 and Raja Khurram Nawaz from NA-48. A day later, MNA-elect Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the results of three Islamabad constituencies were intentionally made controversial by rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates. Talking to media outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), he said the three victorious MNAselect from PML-N possess Form 45 and are prepared to furnish these forms at any appropriate forum. Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the suspension of the success notification for PML-N’s MNAs-elect from Islamabad resulted from the continuous false actions of PTI’s unsuccessful candidates in Islamabad.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers on Wednesday deemed events leading to the delay in the announcement of the reserved verdict in the Iddat case as a “pre-planned” strategy PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, accompanied by other party leaders including Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz and Member National Assembly (MNA) Ali Muhammad Khan, addressed the media outside the courtroom after today’s hearing. Gohar said the court had initially scheduled to announce the verdict at 9 AM, but the timing was rescheduled to 10:30 AM due to the absence of the prosecutor. Referring to remarks made by complainant Khawar Fareed Maneka, former husband of Bushra Bibi, during today’s hearing, the lawmakers alleged that Maneka used abusive language against PTI founder Imran.
him to let his counsel speak first. “My lawyer will not be able to explain my suffering. I will speak myself,” replied Maneka. At this point, Bushra Bibi’s counsel Usman Gill urged the court to issue contempt notices to Maneka for interrupting court proceedings. Maneka asked for 10 minutes of speaking time, saying he belonged to a village and that rumors were being
Furthermore, he claimed that the session judge, Justice Shahrukh Arjumand, had been “instructed” not to preside over the case. Gohar added that Justice Arjumand had informed the court of his intention to report the matter to the higher court. Following today’s events, the judge wrote to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting the appeals to be transferred to another court. Shibli Faraz also accused Maneka of verbally attacking ex-PM Imran and claimed that the case was intentionally delayed, asserting that it was “politically motivated”. “We are seeking justice from the courts,” added Faraz. Echoing Faraz’s sentiments, Ali Muhammad Khan asserted that PTI supremo Imran was disrespected today in front of the court. Referring to the sudden public holiday announced yesterday to commemorate Youm-e-Takbeer, Khan noted that the cypher case was supposed to be heard yesterday but was postponed due to the unprecedented holiday.
spread about him and his daughter’s divorce every day. “Fake divorce letters are being made and spread on social media,” the complainant maintained. Maneka’s interruption irked the PTI counsels who got into a heated argument with the former. Judge Arjumand then intervened asking the lawyers if they wanted to create scene.
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IHC restrains telcos from recording calls, data for surveillance ‘AUDIO LEAKS CASE’
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday restrained the telecom companies from recording phone calls and data for surveillance purposes while hearing the Audio Leaks Case. The single-member IHC bench, comprising Justice Babar Sattar sought clarity regarding the law authorizing the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to carry out surveillance activities. Justice Babar Sattar passed the order while hearing the petitions of former first lady Bushra Bibi and former chief justice Saqib Nisar’s son against their respective audio leaks. The court remarked: “Under which law are you recording peoples’ calls”, asking Additional Attorney General (AAG) Munnawar Iqbal to inform the court officially. “Who has given the permission; who has given the authority to record calls?” the judge said. “You earlier told the court no one was authorized to tap phone calls. If you back down from this position now there will be consequences. The law says that the federal government can authorize this, but according to you it was not authorized,” he added. Additional Attorney General Munnawar Iqbal replied, “It is being done under a legal framework.” The AAG clarified that his earlier reply was only to the extent of the audio leaks involving the petitioners. Responding to the AAG’s clarification, Justice Babar remarked that things would not progress if
the federal government “lies in court”. He said various institutions and offices, including the Prime Minister’s Office, have submitted their responses in court. They maintain that no one has been permitted to carry out legal interception. “If the authority to conduct surveillance has been granted, tell us where and how,” the judge remarked. At this, the AAG stated that rules should be made in this matter if none exist. The judge questioned who would make the rules, and also asked who would notify the institutions about the rules. He further asked if any secret recording has been made till now after seeking permission from the courts. “Under the law, every six months one’s permit for such secret recording will be reviewed, has any such review committee been formed to date?” Justice Babar questioned AAG whether the phone recording without judicial permission was also punishable. “Did the PTA’s license mention these conditions or has the PTA given a policy in this regard? Has this law been followed in the last one year or not?” The court, continuing its line of inquiry, asked what action was taken on the matter and how did audio leaks go viral on social media. Justice Babar also questioned if the social media post could be traced through the IP address. The judge, expressing annoyance over the non-registration of FIR, said the lack of FIA’s ability and that of other institutions to
trace a post can be regarded as a failure of the institution. Following the remarks, the court barred telecom companies from using phone calls and data for surveillance and warned them that the companies would be held responsible if their equipment was found used in illegal surveillance. Justice Babar further sought records of secretly recorded conversations from the federal government and also directed AAG to submit a reply to the court questions. In December 2023, the IHC ordered the FIA to conduct a forensic examination of the leaked audio recording of a conversation between Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, and her lawyer Latif Khosa. Justice Sattar expressed concern about the airing of private conversations on television channels. During the hearing he remarked “Big Boss is listening to everything, you should know.” This drew laughter in the courtroom. The attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) later informed the IHC that the government had not granted permission for audio tapping to any institution or spy agency, including the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). AGP Mansoor Usman Awan further told the IHC that any government agency conducting such recordings was doing so “unlawfully”, as he submitted a report to the court on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
28 killed as Quetta-bound bus falls into ravine in Balochistan’s Washuk QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
As many as 28 passengers, including women and children died and 22 others sustained injuries after a Quetta-bound bus overturned and fell into a ravine into Balochistan’s Washuk area on Wednesday morning, rescuers and police confirmed. Basima Assistant Commissioner (AC) Ismail Mengal confirmed the accident, saying that the bus, on the way to Quetta from Turbat with 45 to 50 passengers on board, suffered the accident at around 5 in the morning. The AC said the accident occurred when one of the tyres of the vehicle got burst, which led to it crashing into a hill and then plunging into a ravine. “Three women and three children were also among the deceased,” AC Mengal said. Six passengers died on the spot while some of the injured were in critical condition, with officials fearing the death toll could rise. “The driver was navigating a turn in a mountainous area when the vehicle lost control and fell into a ravine,” Ismail Mengal later told a foreign news agency. “We are still investigating the cause of the incident. It could be that the driver fell asleep or was speeding, which led to the accident,” he added. The bodies and the injured were taken to the Basima Civil Hospital, where 22 more people succumbed to their injuries. Nine of the injured were in critical condition and transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Khuzdar. The Pakistan Army was requested to airlift four other passengers in critical condition to Quetta via helicopter to be admitted in the trauma centre. The remaining 17 are being administered medical treatment in local Washuk hospitals. Due to a lack of mobile network at the site of the incident and no population nearby, there was a delay in Levies officials getting information. However, AC Mengal said that rescue officials reached the location as soon as they received the news. According to the AC, most of the deceased have not been identified yet but Gwadar administration/officials are being approached for the purpose. Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep regret and sorrow over the loss of human lives. He also extended his condolences to the families of those who died in the accident. The chief minister instructed the officials to provide the best medical facilities to the injured, and prayed for their speedy recovery. Noor Ullah, chief doctor at Civil Hospital Basima, told AFP that 27 bodies were taken there, including three women and three children. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has “expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic traffic accident”, his office said in a statement. The premier also directed the authorities concerned to provide assistance to the injured. National Party chief calls for dual carriages in Balochistan National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch expressed regret over the incident, describing it as tragic and painful. Like CM Bugti, he called for the injured to given the best medical treatment possible, adding that any sort of negligence will lead to further damage. “Speeding buses and single roads have claimed thousands of precious lives,” Baloch said. He noted that there is an urgent need to construct twoway roads in Balochistan and that the government should make appropriate changes to the budget. In two similar incidents in May, 13 people belonging to a same family were killed and nine others got injured when a truck plunged into a ditch in Punjab’s Khushab district. The accident occurred because of brake failure on Panj Pir-Manawan Road in Khushab. Consequently, the truck driver lost control of the vehicle and it fell into the ditch. The deceased of the ill-fated crash included women, too, and the family was going to Khushab. Meanwhile, 20 people lost their lives while 21 sustained injuries after a passenger bus veered off a narrow mountain road and plummeted into a ravine in a remote area of Diamer district, Gilgit Baltistan. The mishap took place at the Yashokhal area on the Karakoram Highway in Diamer early Friday morning at around 5:30am, according to police.
NAB just raided Bahria Town’s office in Pindi. With the company already on brink of default, is Malik Riaz’s ‘house of cards’ about to come tumbling down? PROFIT
ABDULLAH NIAZI
Days after Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz made cryptic tweets about not bowing to political pressure, the National Accountability Bureau has raided the offices of Bahria Town in Rawalpindi. While NAB officials did not make a statement, seemingly wanting to keep the raid under wraps, there was confirmation from within the bureau of what had tran-
spired. The raid was made to find documents and evidence related to the Al Qadir Trust case, in which Malik Riaz along with his son Ali Riaz Malik, are involved along with former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The raid comes at an hour of great peril for Bahria Town, when the real estate development company is facing major losses in business, failing to attract new investors, and possibly even staring down the threat of default. New Bahria Town plots that were
once fetching over Rs 1 crore per kanal are now failing to find buyers at Rs 60-70 lakhs. All this while the Supreme Court wants the company to pay Rs 460 billion in fines for its illegal acquisition of land to build Bahria Town Karachi. With the involvement of its founder in a highly politicised case and fastchanging business realities, is this the end of the road for Malik Riaz and Bahria Town? Profit uses exclusive information to detail the teetering foundations of the once mighty Bahria Town.