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COURT RULES IMRAN, BUSHRA BIBI ‘VALIDLY MARRIED’, SETS ASIDE IDDAT CASE CONVICTIONS Sunday, 14 July, 2024 I | 7 Muharram, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 14 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
ORDER SAYS IT WAS ‘SURPRISING’ MANEKA ‘REMAINED PASSIVE’ FOR SIX YEARS TO PURSUE HIS RIGHT OF RETURN
COURT ALSO DISMISSES MANEKA’S APPLICATIONS FOR A MEDICAL CHECKUP OF BUSHRA BIBI, FURTHER DELIBERATION ON DURATION OF IDDAT ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
N Additional District and Sessions court in the federal capital on Saturday suspended the Pakistan sentences of Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Nikah in Iddat case. Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Afzal Majoka announced a short order, reserved earlier, declaring that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were innocent and should be released if they were not incarcerated in any other case. The couple was convicted on February 3, 2024 — days before the general elections — on a complaint filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband Khawar Fareed Maneka, who alleged that the couple had contracted the marriage during
the former first lady’s Iddat period. Senior civil judge Qudratullah had sentenced the ex-premier and his spouse to seven years in jail and imposed Rs500,000 fine each — a decision that
Khan’s release not possible despite acquittal: Vawda KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Former Federal Minister Faisal Vawda on Saturday reacted to the verdict in the Iddat case, saying that Imran Khan’s release was still not possible despite order of his acquittal. Senator Faisal Vawda said that the Iddat case was shameful and brought personal life into politics. However, despite acquittal, Imran Khan’s release was still not possible because there are many stages and cases yet to go through. He mentioned that Friday’s deci-
sion was beyond the constitution and law, and it increased the difficulties for PTI. He said that no matter how much someone tried to provide concessions outside the constitution and law, logic would not prevail, but the law would. Many stages and cases were still pending. Faisal Vawda said that “if such concessions continue to be given beyond the constitution and law, all the institutions within the constitution and law will stand against you”. He said that there would be difficulty whenever the political decisions were made political.
PTI’s Sanam Javed re-arrested immediately after release in Gujranwala LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist and social worker Sanam Javed was re-arrested by Islamabad police immediately after her release from Central Jail Gujranwala on court orders on Saturday. Javed was released on judicial orders from Judge Naeem Saleem of the Gujranwala Anti-Terrorism Court, following directives from the Lahore High Court. Despite her release, Islamabad police detained her as soon as she stepped out of the jail. Three days earlier, the Lahore High Court had acquitted Javed of charges related to the May 9 incident, ordering her release. Sanam’s lawyers arrived at the jail with court orders, and the jail authorities completed the legal formalities for her release. However, before she could leave, a heavy contingent of Islamabad police, in coordination with Gujranwala police, was waiting outside and took her into custody. During the process of her release and subsequent rearrest, all routes to and from Gujranwala Jail remained closed for eight hours. Islamabad police did not allow anyone, including her family, to approach Javed during her re-arrest, and no reasons were provided for her detention.
was widely criticised by civil society, women activists, and lawyers. The verdict had coincided with the Toshakhana and cipher case sentences. Previously, District and Sessions
Judge Shahrukh Arjumand was hearing the case and had reserved the verdict in May. However, on the day of its expected announcement, he sought a transfer of the case, citing Maneka’s request for recusal from hearing the appeals. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the court of ADSJ Majoka. Last month, ADSJ Majoka had rejected another set of pleas filed by Imran and his wife seeking the suspension of their sentences. Short order and Maneka’s applications ADSJ Majoka announced the judgment today at 3pm after reserving the verdict earlier in the day. After accepting their appeals, the judge said: “If they are not wanted in any other case, then PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released [from jail] immediately.”
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Release remains elusive as PTI founder, spouse ‘arrested’ in new Toshakhana case ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
Hours after the acquittal in Nikah in Iddat case on Saturday, incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and his spouse Bushra Bibi, were arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a fresh Toshakhana reference. A NAB team, headed by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon, arrived at Adiala Jail where ex-premier Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were taken into custody under a new Toshakhana reference. The
NAB team also recorded the PTI founder’s and his wife’s initial statements. The NAB team did not reveal further details of the new reference. The bureau team stated that after completing the legal formalities, they formally arrested Imran Khan and his wife. According to NAB officials who sought anonymity, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were arrested in connection with a new Toshakhana reference, which alleges that the couple had obtained gifts from the gift repository (Toshkhana) at low prices and sold them at higher rates.
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SC rewrote constitution which is right of Parliament, says Kh Asif ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the Supreme Court rewrote the constitution in its decision, which is the right of the Parliament. Speaking at a press conference in Sialkot, Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that legislation is the privilege of the Parliament, and all institutions have their responsibilities outlined in the constitution. The judiciary’s job is to interpret the constitution. Criticizing the Supreme Court’s decision, he said that as politicians, they have made many mistakes. The Supreme Court, in its decision on reserved seats, has
rewritten the constitution. This decision not only reached the doorstep but also provided relief. Khawaja Asif stated that it was not PTI but the Sunni Ittehad Council that had come to the court. Relief was given to those who were not even the petitioners. Those who had submitted affidavits to the Election Commission on behalf of the Sunni Ittehad Council cannot go back on them. When those taking multiple oaths reach the assembly, what will be the worth of the assembly? PTI lost its electoral symbol for not holding intra-party elections. The Defense Minister said that the Parliament and the Election Commission are all executive institutions. The higher judiciary is not
making decisions considering political implications. A big Pandora’s box has been opened due to the situation. This is not good for the national future. We still have 209 members in Parliament. The judiciary’s interference in politics has been going on for many years. He further stated that a decision on the review appeal against the Supreme Court’s verdict will be made in Parliament on Monday. Many constitutional provisions have been violated in the decision. The reaction to the decision will be given after consultation with allies. Anarchy has already spread in society, and the economic conditions have deteriorated to a point where they cannot be further worsened.
The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz, and other bigwigs of the PML-N, the sources privy to the development said. The federal cabinet members will also attend the meeting which is specifically called for discussing
crucial matters aftermath of the apex court’s verdict, declaring the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) eligible for reserved seats. The sources added that the Nawaz Sharif-headed meeting will also engage in consultations on other key issues.
Nawaz Sharif summons high-ups meeting after apex court’s verdict LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif summoned an important meeting to devise further course of action after the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s verdict in the reserved seats case.
Will resign rather than succumbing to pressure of tax evaders, mafias: PM g
DIRECTS FBR AUTHORITIES TO GIRD UP LOINS FOR REVENUE GENERATION WITH DEDICATED EFFORTS, USAGE OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorities to tighten their belts and serve the nation by formulating a strategy and mechanism coupled with usage of latest technology to broaden the tax net base without further burdening the honest tax payers. During a visit to FBR Headquarters, the prime minister said that the incumbent government had the sole agenda of putting Pakistan on a path of progress with consistent improvement in the economic indicators. For the first time, a prime minister has taken the unprecedented step of addressing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and clearly outlined priorities and guidelines in a bold and transparent manner. The directions were loud and clear as the prime minister said that no one was superior to him and he would resign rather than succumbing to pressure. “I’ll resign rather than succumbing to pressure from tax evaders, mafias and dishonest bureaucrats,” he said. This landmark address set a new standard for leadership, accountability, and policy transparency. “Though it may be a difficult journey which requires collective and individual efforts, sincerity and sacrifices and putting forth the national interests supreme over all other interests,” he emphasised. Terming the staff level arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a positive omen for the country’s economy, he expressed the hope that the IMF board would also give a go ahead in this regard.
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12 dead, 30 injured in rain-related incidents across Punjab LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
At least 12 people were killed and 27 others injured in various incidents during torrential rains across multiple cities in Punjab, according to official reports. In line with directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a flood alert fact sheet detailing the monsoon rain situation and water levels in rivers, barrages, and dams across Punjab. A PDMA spokesperson reported that in the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded in Lahore, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Kot Addu, and Bahawalpur. The storms resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, damage to 14 houses, and injuries to 27 people. Among the deceased were five children, three women, and four men. The PDMA noted that three people were killed by lightning strikes in Narowal and Multan.
CTD nabs TTP terrorist in Karachi raid KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested Hidayatullah alias “Abdul Hakeem”, a member of a banned Tehreek E Taliban (TTP) organisation, during an operation in the site area of Karachi. CTD spokesperson stated that the arrested terrorist is affiliated with the TTP’s Swat faction and was involved in fundraising for the terrorist group. The CTD reported that Hidayatullah was apprehended along with 6,000 rupees in donation funds. The department noted that Hidayatullah’s father, Muhammad Ghaus, was killed during an operation in Afghanistan in 2000, and his brother, Fazalullah, has been missing since the Swat operation. Hidayatullah was allegedly collecting donations in Karachi to support his associates. Police are now conducting raids to capture his accomplices.
Pakistan, IMF reach staff-level agreement on $7b Extended Fund Arrangement g
AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO BOARD’S APPROVAL, TIMELY CONFIRMATION OF NECESSARY FINANCING ASSURANCES FROM PAKISTAN’S DEVELOPMENT AND BILATERAL PARTNERS PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The Pakistani authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team have reached a staff-level agreement on a 37month Extended Fund Arrangement (EFF) of SDR 5,320 million (or about $7 billion), the global lender said in a press statement. IMF said this agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board and the timely confirmation of necessary financing assurances from Pakistan’s development and bilateral partners. In response to a request by the Pakistani
authorities, an IMF team led by Nathan Porter, IMF’s Mission Chief to Pakistan, held discussions during the May 13-23, 2024 staff visit to Islamabad and virtually thereafter on IMF support for the authorities’ medium-term policy and reform plans. At the end of the discussions, Mr. Porter issued the following statement: “The program aims to capitalize on the hard-won macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year by furthering efforts to strengthen public finances, reduce inflation, rebuild external buffers, and remove economic distortions to spur private sector-led growth.”
Key policy goals of the authorities’ program include: Sustainable public finances, through a gradual fiscal consolidation based on reforms to broaden the tax base and remove exemptions, while increasing resources for critical development and social spending. In this regard, the authorities plan to increase tax revenues through measures of 1½ per cent of GDP in FY25 and 3 per cent of GDP over the program. In particular, the recently approved FY25 budget targets an underlying general government primary surplus of 1 per cent of GDP (2 per cent in headline terms).
Revenue collections will be supported by simpler and fairer direct and indirect taxation, including by bringing net income from the retail, export, and agriculture sectors properly into the tax system. At the same time, the FY25 budget provides additional resources to expand social protection by increasing both the generosity and coverage of BISP, education, and health spending. A fairer balance of fiscal effort between the Federal and Provincial governments, which have agreed to rebalance spending activities in line with the 18th constitutional amendment through the signature of a National Fiscal Pact that devolves to provincial
governments higher spending for education, health, social protection, and regional public infrastructure investment, enabling improved public service provision. At the same time, the provinces will take steps to increase their own tax-collection efforts, including in sales tax on services and agricultural income tax. On the latter, all provinces are committed to fully harmonising their Agriculture Income Tax regimes through legislative changes with the federal personal and corporate income tax regimes and this will become effective from January 1, 2025.
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