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PM URGES SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL FOR GENOCIDAL ACTS AGAINST PALESTINIANS Friday, 27 September, 2024 I | 22 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Meets President Mahmoud Abbas, demands immediate ceasefire, creation of State of Palestine
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In meeting with Bill Gates, PM lauds support to Pakistan for polio eradication
Pakistan, UK agree to promote bilateral ties in various sectors NEW YORK
STAFF REPORT
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NEW YORK MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the United Nations Security Council to apply sanctions against Israel including an arms & trade embargo for its genocidal acts against the Palestinians. “We must compel Israel to halt its genocidal war in Gaza and prevent its attempts to provoke a wider conflict in the
Middle East,” the prime minister stressed while delivering a statement during the High-Level Open Debate of the Security Council on “Leadership for Peace”, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nation General Assembly Session. While strongly condemning Israel’s bombing in Lebanon, the prime minister emphasized that it was time to hold its leadership accountable for its crimes against the Palestinians and the Lebanese people. In addition, he also urged the Security Council to develop an impartial plan for a cease-fire and peaceful solution for
Security forces kill eight terrorists in North Waziristan IBO RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Security forces in Pakistan have killed eight terrorists in a successful operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s North Waziristan district, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Wednesday. The intelligence-based operation took place in the Razmak area on the night between September 25 and 26, following reports of terrorists present in the area. According to ISPR, a heavy exchange of fire ensued between security forces and the terrorists during the operation, resulting in the deaths of eight members of the Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK), also known as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the scene. The military added that the terrorists, referred to as Khawarij, were involved in various activities targeting security forces, as well as the killings of civilians. This operation comes just days after security forces conducted similar missions in North and South Waziristan, where 12 terrorists were killed. That operation also saw the loss of six security personnel who were martyred during the intense combat. The recent operations underscore the ongoing efforts by Pakistan’s security forces to eliminate terrorist threats in the region. Few days ago, a Grand Peace Jirga of notables and tribal elders was held in Bannu, where participants reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Pakistan Army in its ongoing efforts to combat Fitna alKhawarij, a term often used to describe extremist elements. The Jirga participants expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by security forces in restoring peace to the region. They also commended the Pakistan Army for its significant contributions to the promotion of education and health, particularly girls’ education in the area. Major General Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, General Officer Commanding Kohat, was in attendance at the Jirga, where local elders expressed gratitude for the army’s role in advancing social welfare initiatives. The gathering reiterated its commitment to work alongside the military in ensuring long-lasting peace and stability in the region.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 80 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his United Kingdom counterpart Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties in various sectors, especially trade and investment. During a meeting on the sidelines of 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), they discussed matters of mutual interests and bilateral relations between the two countries. The prime minister apprised his British counterpart of the country’s current economic situation and the measures being taken by the government for the development and growth of the economy, especially the efforts made in implementing the FBR tax rethe war in Ukraine. He said proliferating wars in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere, great powers’ tension, and growing poverty were threating the foundations of the world order. “Last Sunday we approved the pact for the future. We must give life to our
forms and expanding the tax base. PM Shehbaz also informed Sir Keir Starmer about the challenges Pakistan faced due to the adverse effects of climate change. He highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, which, he said, was a global issue that required collective action from the international community. The prime minister noted that the United Kingdom (UK) was the thirdlargest investor in Pakistan, and discussed the investment opportunities and projects available in the country. While mentioning the significant role of Pakistanis residing in the UK in the development of both countries, the prime minister expressed a desire to utilize their contributions effectively to achieve mutual development goals.
commitments otherwise, the future will be bleak and dangerous,” he stressed. As regards the Kashmir issue, he emphasized that the Council could no longer ignore the fostering Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Blasphemy accused doctor from Umerkot was slain in ‘fake encounter’: Sindh Home Minister KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Thursday presented the findings of an inquiry into the killing of a doctor accused of blasphemy by police in Mirpurkhas, saying the probe found that police “staged the encounter”. Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar, accused of sharing blasphemous posts on social media, was shot dead during a gun battle with the police in Mirpurkhas on September 19, authorities said. According to an official order issued by the Sindh Inspector General (IG), an inquiry committee was constituted to probe two cases (FIR No. 47/2024 and 48/2024) registered at the Sindhri police station on September 19. Following the incident, the Sindh IG transferred the Mirpurkhas Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), ordering him to report to the Sindh Central Police Office in Karachi. Last week, Lanjar announced
the removal of top police officials of the Mirpurkhas division and added that the committee would ascertain whether the doctor was killed “extra-judicially”. Meanwhile, civil society activists from across the province participated in a protest at the Umerkot Press Club on Wednesday which was led, among others, by the daughter of the blasphemy suspect. According to a copy of the inquiry report, the committee “unanimously” agreed that Mirpurkhas police “killed him [Dr Shahnawaz] in a managed encounter and tried to give it a legal cover but failed”. The inquiry committee reached this conclusion after analysing CCTV footage, police testimony, social media content, and tracker data, the report stated. It added that Umerkot police took Dr Shahnawaz into custody from Karachi, before transferring him to the custody of Mirpurkhas police. The report recommended that the deceased’s family record a statement and file a first information report (FIR) under the relevant
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provisions, whilst suggesting “strict departmental action” against personnel from both Umerkot and Mirpurkhas police who allegedly celebrated the killing. Furthermore, the report urged that the cases be conducted by a senior officer, not below the rank of superintendent of police (SP), and preferably by the Counterterrorism Department (CTD) or crime branch“. “The whole episode was not seriously handled as per law and police rules, lacking overall command and failure to take decisions as enumerated in [the] legal framework of the country by the officers including DIG Mirpur Khas, SSP Umar Kot, and SSP Mirpur Khas,” the report read. Addressing a press conference in Karachi today, Minister Lanjar announced that Dr Shahnawaz was killed in “a fake encounter”, according to the committee’s report. He added that SSP Mirpurkhas had been suspended and that the deputy inspector general (DIG) was “involved” in the incident.
New polio case confirmed in Balochistan, total reaches 22 in Pakistan this year QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
A new case of polio has been confirmed in Pakistan, raising the total number of cases in the country to 22 this year. The National Institute of Health reported that a two-and-a-half-year-old child from the Pishin district of Balochistan has been diagnosed with the virus. This latest case brings the total number of polio infections in Balochistan to 15 for 2024.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a nationwide anti-polio campaign across 115 districts, aiming to vaccinate 30 million children under the age of five. Approximately 286,000 polio workers were deployed to go door-to-door, administering polio drops. However, the campaign has faced significant challenges, as highlighted by a recent terrorist attack on the Zhob-DI Khan National Highway that resulted in the deaths of three Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) personnel who were deployed to protect polio workers.
PTI challenges practice and procedure ordinance in SC ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has challenged the Practice and Procedure presidential Ordinance in the Supreme Court. As per details, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar has filed a petition against the presidential ordinance, seeking to declare it unconstitutional. The petition sought to restrain the formation of a new Practice and Procedure Committee until the petition is heard and requests that the old committee be allowed to function during the hearing of the petition. Additionally, the federal government, law ministry, and secretary to the president have been made parties in the petition. Earlier, the PTI filed petition in Sindh High Court against amending the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act with presidential ordinance. Petitioner made the federation, secretary cabinet and secretary parliamentary affairs as respondents in the case. “Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had set three conditions in his decision with regard to promulgation of an ordinance,” petition read. “In these conditions emergency and immediate need were basic elements,” according to petition. “Currently there is no calamity or any emergency situation, the ordinance promulgated in presence of the parliament, which is unconstitutional,” petition read. “In presence of the apex court’s decision, the law could not be amended with an ordinance,” petitioner argued. It is to be mentioned that the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023, has been recently amended with a presidential ordinance.
Malakand DIG, Swat DPO sacked for attack on foreign diplomats’ convey in Swat PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Malakand DIG and Swat DPO had been sacked for failing to ensure security of foreign diplomats’ convey in Swat which was attacked by a terrorist IED. According to government officials, DIG Muhammad Ali and DPO Zahidullah had been directed to report to the CPO. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had formed a two-member committee to probe the attack on foreign diplomats in Swat. KP Home Department has also issued the notice for committee formation. As per notification, investigation additional IG, and Home Department special secretary would be included in the committee. The committee would investigate the incident from various angles and submit a detailed report to the provincial government within seven days. It is pertinent to note that foreign diplomats were attacked in Swat Malam Jabba on September 22. As a result of the attack, one police officer was martyred and three injured. Fortunately, all foreign diplomats remained safe and secure in the attack. According to police sources, this terrorist act occurred near Jehanabad on Malam Jabba Road, where a bomb was detonated remotely as the police mobile passed by, severely injuring three policemen. The Foreign Office states that a group of diplomats travelling to Islamabad, after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat, witnessed an incident.
CJP Isa responds to Justice Mansoor’s concerns over Practice and Procedure Committee ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has written a detailed response to Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, addressing his concerns over the Practice and Procedure Committee. Justice Mansoor had earlier expressed reservations about the committee and raised questions about the exclusion of Justice Munib Akhtar. Additionally, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, had also refused to attend the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Committee’s meetings and voiced concerns over the presidential ordinance regarding the committee’s formation. He had also questioned the reasons behind the removal of Justice Munib Akhtar from the committee. In his reply, Chief Justice Isa provided a detailed explanation, though the contents of the letter remain undisclosed, a local news
outlet reported. Sources indicated that CJ Isa cited 11 reasons for not including Justice Munib Akhtar in the Practice and Procedure Committee, pointing to his stern conduct towards senior judges. In his response, Chief Justice Isa explained that Justice Yahya Afridi was initially invited to join the committee but had excused himself. As a result, Justice Aminuddin Khan was included in his place. Chief Justice Isa further clarified that Justice Munib Akhtar had opposed the Practice Procedure law and had refused to participate in committee meetings during the court’s summer vacation, citing his unavailability. The Chief Justice expressed concern over Justice Munib’s conduct in the committee, describing it as inappropriate, and noted that Justice Munib had walked out of a meeting. According to the Chief Justice, the law requires urgent cases to be heard within 14 days, and Justice Munib’s absence had been a challenge to this commitment.
CJ Isa further emphasised that, by law, no judge can challenge the Chief Justice’s decision regarding committee appointments. The exchange follows the recent exclusion of Justice Munib Akhtar from the committee, which Justice Mansoor questioned in his letter to the Chief Justice. Previously, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had voiced strong objections to the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Ordinance, outlining his reservations in a detailed three-page letter. The letter, addressed to the reconstituted committee on Monday, criticises both the substance of the amendments and the process by which they were implemented. Soon after the promulgation of the ordinance on amendments in the Practice and Procedure Act 2023, CJP Isa reconstituted a committee wherein Justice Aminuddin Khan had been included as a third member by ousting Justice Munib Akhtar. Justice Aminuddin Khan is the fifth most
senior judge of the SC. Interestingly, Justice Yahya Afridi, who is the fourth most senior, has also not been included in the committee. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah began by ex-
pressing alarm at the hasty reconstitution of the Practice and Procedure Committee, which took place just hours after the amending ordinance was promulgated.