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SUPREME COURT HONORS OUTGOING CJP QAZI FAEZ ISA AT FAREWELL CEREMONY Saturday, 26 October, 2024 I | 22 Rabi ul Sani, 1446
CJP-designate Afridi describes Justice Isa as a ‘good, hearing human being,’ while cautioning about his ‘fury’
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ISLAMABAD
Total of 16 judges, including two ad-hoc judges and two from Federal Shariat Court, attend the event
STAFF REPORT
HE Supreme Court hosted a full court reference on Friday to bid farewell to the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, where lawyers and fellow judges shared highlights from his tenure. Justice Isa was sworn in as the 29th CJP on September 17, 2023, during a symbolic ceremony attended by his wife, Sarina Isa, who stood beside him as he took the oath. Justice Yahya Afridi, nominated by a newly formed Special Parliamentary Committee (SPC), is set to take his oath as the next CJP on Saturday. The farewell event was livestreamed on the Supreme Court’s website and YouTube channel. Notably, Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who would have been the next CJP if not for the 26th Amendment, could not attend due to his pilgrimage to Umrah with his family.
Due to the absence of Justice Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, Justices Afridi and Aminuddin Khan occupied their usual seats next to the outgoing CJP. Justices Ayesha Malik, Athar Minallah, and Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan were also not present at the occasion. A total of 16 judges, including two
Thin attendance marks farewell to Justice Isa as six judges opt out ISLAMABAD: Six judges of the Supreme Court (SC) chose not to attend the full court reference held in honor of outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. According to media reports, the judges who skipped the reference included Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Malik Shehzad. The absence of these judges
marked a noticeable reduction in attendance at the traditionally well-attended farewell event. The oath-taking ceremony for the new CJP, Justice Yahya Afridi, is scheduled for tomorrow, with President Asif Ali Zardari set to administer the oath. In the lead-up to the full court reference, a farewell dinner was hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Pakistan Bar Council in honor of outgoing CJP Qazi Faez Isa. STAFF REPORT
Nawaz Sharif departs for Dubai ahead of important meetings in London LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Mian Nawaz Sharif departed from Lahore for Dubai on Friday. Sharif took Emirates flight EK-625, which left at 9:04 AM and is scheduled to arrive in Dubai at 11:25 AM local time. After a brief one-day stay in Dubai, he plans to continue his journey to London, where he is anticipated to engage in significant meetings. Nawaz Sharif is set to leave London for a four-day visit to the United States on October 29. Sources indicate that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will also travel to London during the first week of November. Following their time in London, both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam plan to tour various European countries. Additionally, the former prime minister is expected to undergo a medical check-up in London.
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ad-hoc judges and two from the Federal Shariat Court, attended the event. Among them were Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Shahid Waheed. In his speech, CJP-designate Afridi described Justice Isa as a “good, hearing
human being,” while also cautioning about his “fury.” “If you meet, greet, and treat Justice Faez Isa with a smile and humility, he will reciprocate with such gentle softness, likeliness, and care that it will leave you astonished. But mind you, if you in any way provoke him, or if I may say so poke the bear, then even hell hath no fury to match his scorn and only God may help and save you,” he said. Justice Afridi expressed “mixed feelings” about bidding farewell to his predecessor, noting that he would “surely miss your sense of humor and abruptness,” while also being glad that Justice Isa was leaving in good health to enjoy his future endeavors. He commended the outgoing top judge for his commitment to women’s rights, emphasizing that Justice Isa “would leave no bounds to ensure the preservation of their rights with the full might of the court.” Justice Afridi also outlined the priorities and principles he intends to uphold as the new chief justice.
Outgoing CJP failed to safeguard judicial independence: Justice Shah ISLAMABAD: Senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday formally opted out of the full court reference held in honor of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, citing significant concerns about the integrity of the judiciary and external influences. In a letter addressed to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Justice Shah articulated his reasons for abstaining from the ceremony, noting that such references are typically reserved for retired Chief Justices who have served with distinction.
He pointed out that his earlier refusal to attend a reference for former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar was based on similar concerns regarding the potential misuse of judicial power. Justice Shah expressed that the current situation surrounding Chief Justice Isa is equally troubling, criticizing him for allegedly failing to safeguard judicial independence. He claimed that instead of mitigating external interference, the Chief Justice has permitted it to infiltrate the judiciary, thereby compromising its authority. STAFF REPORT
Ten FC soldiers martyred in Khawarij attack on Darzanda FC check-post PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Ten Frontier Constabulary (FC) soldiers were martyred in attack by the terrorists of Fitna-ul-Khawarij on Zam FC check-post in Darzanda in Dera Ismail Khan (DI) Khan in the dark of night, according to the Interior Ministry spokesperson. “The terrorists of Fitna-ulKhawarij launched a night attack on DI Khan’s Zam FC check-post in Darzanda, which the Frontier Constabulary (FC) soldiers bravely retaliated,” the Interior Ministry spokesperson informed. “The soldiers bravely fought with the attackers and during the fire exchange, ten of the FC soldiers were martyred, while three others sustained injuries”, the spokesperson confirmed, commending the martyrs for thwarting the attack on the check post. He said that six of the fallen soldiers hailed from South Waziris-
Young cadet martyred defending mosque worshippers in Lakki Marwat LAKKI MARWAT
STAFF REPORT
Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah, a 19-year-old under training at the Pakistan Military Academy, embraced martyrdom on Friday, while defending worshippers during a militant attack on a mosque in Lakki Marwat. Present in the mosque during Maghrib prayers, Cadet Arif Ullah confronted the attackers, sacrificing his life to protect fel-
tan and four from Karak district. The Ministry paid tribute to the FC’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and estab-
low worshippers in a show of extraordinary bravery. Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah, who was on leave from the PMA in Kakul and visiting his hometown, was in the mosque offering prayers when the attack unfolded. As the militants began firing, Arif Ullah, age 19 and a resident of Lakki Marwat, responded immediately, bravely engaging the attackers to protect fellow worshippers.
lishing peace, stating that the supreme sacrifices of these soldiers strengthen the nation’s steadfast resolve.
ATC grants bail to Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan in D-Chowk protest case ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad on Friday granted bail to Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan 4 in a case registered at Kohsar Police Station. ATC Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain granted the bails against the surety bonds of Rs20,000 each. The capital police arrested both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan on October 4 from D-Chowk in the capital following the PTI call for a protest at DChowk. Later, they were transferred to the Secretariat police station. Consequently, the Anti-Terrorism Court remanded Imran Khan’s sisters into police custody for further physical remand after one day physical remand following their arrest. Aleema and Uzma were presented in court after completing their one-day physical remand. The court, presided over by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, was hearing the case registered at Kohsar Police Station under terrorism charges. On Friday, both the sisters appeared before the court along with their counsels – Niazullah Niazi, Ansar Mahmood Kiyani and other lawyers. Prosecutor Raja Naveed opposed the bail plea, saying a megaphone was recovered from the suspects, who used it to incite chaos among the party workers. “There is a video of the suspects when they were arrested.” Niazi retorted and questioned the prosecutor’s statement on the sisters inciting chaos. “There is not a single video of them inciting chaos, they are just being made a target for political revenge,” Kayani said. During the proceedings, the judge ordered all unrelated persons to leave the courtroom before PTI’s lawyer Niazullah Niazi began his arguments. Niazi informed the court that they were provided with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) via WhatsApp just the day before. He argued that the arrest of Aleema and Uzma on October 4 was unlawful, as they were not presented in court until October 6. “This arrest has become illegal,” he stated. After hearing the arguments, the court granted bail to the two sisters for Rs20,000 each. PTI confirmed the bail approval in a post on X, quoting leader Zartaj Gul as saying: “Alhamdulillah, Khan sahib’s two sisters have been granted bail, God willing my leader Imran will also be released.” A case has also been registered at the Aabpara police station against the duo, but terrorism provisions are not included in this case. Bail has not been granted in the case, which was registered for alleged interference in the administration and other provisions. Vawda says he fulfilled promised of efforts for Imran’s sisters release Meanwhile, Senator Faisal Vawda claimed that he had promised to make efforts for the sisters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and today they secured bail. “I had already said I would make efforts for the release of Imran’s sisters, and today, thank God, their bail has been granted.” In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked, “Last night, I mentioned my intentions regarding Imran’s sisters, and today, their bail has been secured.”