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COURT ISSUES PRELIMINARY CONTEMPT NOTICES TO DGS OF IB, FIA AND PEMRA CHIEF
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 305 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
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ISLAMABAD
NOTES APPLICATIONS SEEKING JUDGE’S RECUSAL IN LEAKS CASE PART OF A COLLUSIVE SCHEME TO INTIMIDATE COURT
STAFF REPORT
HE Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued preliminary contempt notices to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for seeking recusal of a judge hearing a case related to surveillance of citizens “with mala fide intent”. Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC has been hearing a case pertaining to unauthorized recording of alleged telephonic calls of a former first lady, Bushra Bibi, and Najamus Saqib, the son of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar since last year. On April 27, four state institutions — the IB, the FIA, the PTA and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) — filed miscellaneous applications, seeking recusal of Justice Sattar from hearing the case. However, the court on April 29 dismissed the applications while also imposing a fine of Rs0.5 million on each institution. In its 40-page written order unveiled on Saturday, the court noted that the recusal applications were mala
fide and frivolous. “Prima facie, [they were] part of a collusive scheme to intimidate the Presiding Judge into disqualifying himself from hearing the instant matters.” The court noted that Rs0.5 million cost imposed on each applicant shall be paid personally by the public official or officials within each organization who
Wheat Procurement: PM takes notice, forms committee to address grievances of farmers ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif taking notice of the issues faced by the farmers in selling their wheat and obtaining wheat bags on Saturday constituted a committee under Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address their grievances. The committee in line with the direction of the prime minister would take measures to address the farmers’ concerns within four days. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high level emergency meeting here to review the matters of wheat procurement through PASSCO. Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Attaullah Tarar, and other relevant officials attended the meeting. Premier Shehbaz Sharif addressing the meeting expressed his concern over the difficulties faced by farmers in obtaining fair prices for their wheat crop and directed the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue. The federal government, through PASSCO, was procuring 1.8 million metric tons of wheat to ensure maximum benefit to farmers, he said. The prime minister directed the concerned officials to personally monitor the wheat procurement process and ensure that farmers receive their due payments on time. He emphasized that the government will not compromise on the economic protection of farmers and will take all necessary steps to ensure their wellbeing. PM Shehbaz Sharif also praised the bumper wheat crop this year.
authorized such application. “As the learned Additional Attorney General and the representatives of [the] FIA and [the] IB have failed to satisfy the court that the applications are duly authorized, let [the] FIA and [the] IB file their reports explaining the legal framework within which such organizations exercise authority.
“[They will also] identify the relevant officials who are authorized to make representations on behalf of [the] FIA and [the] IB along with an affidavit filed by [FIA] Director General and [IB] Director General, respectively, stating who in fact authorized the filing of the instant applications.” The court also asked the IB and FIA director generals and the PTA chairman to satisfy the court as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for filing “collusive applications”. The order said these applications were aimed at embarrassing “the proceedings of the court and to interfere with and abuse the process of the court and divert the course of justice within the meaning of Article 204 of the Constitution”. Earlier discussing the applications, the court noted that various passages in the applications filed by the FIA and the IB were identical. “[This was interesting as] the two applications [were] filed obviously by two separate entities independent of one another. [One of the identical paragraphs was] a quotation of Lord Denning on the matter of bias,” it added.
Imran reiterates willingness for talks with all sans PML-N, PPP, MQM
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SAYS WE HAVE BEEN STATING FOR 18 MONTHS THAT WE ARE OPEN TO TALKS BECAUSE NEGOTIATION IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF POLITICS ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Former prime minister and incarcerated founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has reiterated his openness to engage with all stakeholders except for the PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P. Khan made it clear the formation of a three-member committee within his party is aimed at facilitating discussions, not striking deals. During an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail on Saturday, Khan said negotiations are typically conducted with adversaries rather than allies. He clarified that individuals seeking to evade legal consequences or exit the country are usually the ones inclined to make deals. “We have been stating for 18 months that we are open to talks because negotiation is an integral part of politics. We are willing to engage with everyone except for the three parties mentioned, for which a dedicated committee has been established,” Khan stated. Clarifying his stance, Khan reiterated that the committee is solely authorised for negotiations and will not be involved in brokering any covert deals. He asserted that he harbours no desire to seek release from detention. Addressing the impending
PM’s top aide suggests fixing CJP’s term as govt mulls amending judges appointment law ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
With the federal government contemplating to amend the laws related to the judges’ appointment, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday suggested fixing the term of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Speaking in a TV talk show, the PML-N Punjab chapter president said: “The term of the chief justice should be fixed … There is no institution [in the country] whose head’s tenure is not fixed.” He further said that it had also happened in the past that CJPs assumed their offices for just 14 days. The PM’s adviser statement came a day after Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar hinted at bringing constitutional amendments to change the traditional approach to selecting judges for the Supreme Court as well as high courts, saying the government wanted to establish a “balance” in the system. He made the remarks as a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) was held on Friday with CJP Isa in the chair to discuss proposed amendments to its 2010 rules. The law minister was among the attendees of the huddle. The amendments are aimed at ending the automatic elevation of high court chief justices to the top court and the appointment of the most senior judge as the chief justice of high courts. In a statement, the federal minister had said that the status of the Parliamentary Committee on Judicial Appointments was not more than a “rubber stamp” following the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. He had further said that there should be a “balance” in the appointment of the judges. Referring to the proposals circulating on social media platforms about the chief justice’s term, the minister said had: “I will not completely reject proposals regarding the tenure of the chief justice.” According to media reports, the government was mulling that the tenure of the chief justice should be for a fixed term, besides judicial reforms. In the 18th Amendment, there was a balance in the appointment of judges, the law minister added.
PTI to resist person specific constitutional amendment to benefit CJP ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
legal challenges, Khan mentioned the potential initiation of another Toshakhana-related case against him, expressing his unwavering resolve despite mounting pressures. Last week, reports emerged indicating Khan’s consent for his party to engage in discussions with both the establishment and political rivals. However, Khan stressed adherence to established protocols and the need to establish clear Terms of Reference (TORs) before initiating any talks. Confirming the readiness for dialogue, PTI leader Shibli Faraz outlined the party’s prerequisites for negotiations, stressing the importance of a conducive environment for constructive dialogue. During a Senate session a day
earlier, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui extended an invitation to PTI for talks on behalf of his party leadership. On the same day, PTI leader Shehryar Afridi expressed intentions to engage in discussions with the military establishment. Afridi, speaking to a private TV channel, indicated that talks with the army chief and DG ISI would take place soon. Afridi clarified that PTI’s objective is not to seek a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for itself but rather to negotiate for the “betterment of Pakistan’s future”. He also mentioned Khan’s longstanding desire to engage with the establishment from day one, lamenting the absence of a response thus far.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vehemently denounced the person-specific constitutional amendment to benefit the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan, who worked as a main facilitator in snatching an iconic electoral symbol “bat” from PTI and stealing its public mandate, vowing that any such constitutional amendment would be resisted tooth and nail at all fora. PTI Spokesperson, in a strongly-worded reaction to the planned constitutional amendment regarding the appointment of judges to superior courts, said that apparently, the current mandate thieves government took the decision to reward CJP Justice Qazi Isa for his shameful role in the cases relevant to PTI, who could see dereliction of justice 40 years ago, but can no longer see meddling in judicial affairs even after its endorsement by judges from all the high courts. PTI Spokesperson stated that the behavior of Qazi Isa during the entire period of his tenure as Chief Justice was very regrettable and reprehensible with respect to the supremacy of the constitution and upholding rule of law. He went on to say that the chief justice reduced the status and value of his position by compromising on the rule of law and constitution, who opened the door for the extraconstitutional and extra-democratic forces to interfere in independence of the judiciary, which would have farreaching negative consequences. PTI Spokesperson made it clear that the nation was well-aware of the fact that Chief Justice was being given the extension in his tenure as a bribe, as he worked as a facilitator to snatch an electoral symbol from a democratic party and rob its mandate, which was very shameful and condemnable.
Hamas, Egyptian mediators reach consensus on Gaza ceasefire issues: Egyptian media CAIRO
XINHUA
Egyptian mediators and Hamas have reached a consensus on several issues regarding a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian media reported on Saturday. Egypt’s Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted an unnamed senior official as saying that a Hamas delegation had arrived in Cairo to discuss the terms of an Egypt-proposed initiative for a ceasefire with Israel. Earlier in the day, two Egyptian sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday “with the intention of concluding and implementing a truce agreement with Israel.” The Hamas delegation’s visit came after the Gaza-ruling movement got Egypt’s guarantees that the deal could lead to a ceasefire
in the besieged enclave, the sources said. Egypt has warned Hamas of the potential escalation of tensions in Gaza should they fail to reach an agreement, according to the sources. It has been reported that William Burns, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, is scheduled to visit Egypt. The visit is part of the efforts by the tripartite guarantors of the ceasefire deal, which include Egypt, the United States, and Qatar. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, following Hamas’s surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 34,600 Palestinians, and wounded over 77,800 others, according to Gaza health authorities. The attacks also led to massive destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza.
Hamas said on Friday it was sending a delegation to Cairo to discuss a deal for a truce and the release of hostages in Gaza, hours after U.S. CIA Director William Burns arrived in the Egyptian capital, according to Egyptian sources. Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been leading efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas to broker a deal for a ceasefire in the conflict that began on Oct. 7. Meanwhile, the Hamas and CIA officials will meet Egyptian mediators on Saturday, an Egyptian security source said, though it was unclear whether they would meet separately or together. Hamas said its delegates were traveling to Cairo in a “positive spirit” after studying the latest proposal for a truce agreement. “We are determined to secure an agreement in a way that fulfils Palestinians’ de-
mands,” the Palestinian militant group said in a statement. A U.S. official said the United States believed there had been some progress in talks but was still waiting to hear more. The CIA declined to comment, reflecting its policy of not disclosing the director’s
travel. Ceasefire talks have continued for months without a decisive breakthrough. Israel has said it is determined to eliminate Hamas, while Hamas says it wants a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.