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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 154 I 44 Pages I Lahore Edition
PM DIRECTS SWIFT ACTION AGAINST RIOTERS, VOWS TO FOIL ATTEMPTS OF ‘SABOTAGING ECONOMY’ Tuesday, 10 December, 2024 I 07 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
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INSTRUCTS NO INNOCENT, LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN g CALLS FOR ENSURING SAFE TO BE ARRESTED DURING CRACKDOWN EVACUATION OF PAKISTANIS FROM SYRIA ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the relevant authorities to take swift actions against those involved in recent unrest, vandalism and chaos and damaging both public and private properties in Islamabad. However, the PM directed to make it sure that no innocent and law-abiding citizen was arrested during the crackdown against those spreading chaos. Chairing a review meeting on law and order situation, the prime minister stressed that the government will not allow anyone to disrupt the stability of the rapidly improving economy through chaos. PM Shehbaz Sharif also ordered to make the process of identifying those inciting disorder more effective and to gather solid evidence against them. “Provide all necessary resources to the task force formed to take action against such elements,” he said and directed to bring the Federal Prosecution Service under the Ministry of Law. He also asked the relevant authorities to complete the Islamabad Jail construction at the earliest and ensure immediate
release of funds for this purpose. During the meeting, it was informed that the scope of the Islamabad Safe City project was being expanded besides increasing the number of Safe City cameras. The meeting was also informed that the Islamabad Jail building will be completed by March next year. The meeting was attended by Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin
Raza Naqvi, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Advisor to PM Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Coordinator to PM Rana Ihsan Afzal and other high officials. PM for ensuring safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria Meanwhile, the premier also directed the authorities concerned to formulate an
action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis, wishing to return from Syria, via neighboring countries as soon as possible. The prime minister was chairing a meeting held here to review the current situation of Syria and safe evacuation of Pakistanis present in that country. “All possible steps should be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria. The safety of Pakistanis' lives and property in Syria is our top priority,” the prime minister said while instructing to utilize all available resources for this purpose. He also directed the Pakistan Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline to facilitate the Pakistanis. Until the security situation improves, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Crisis Management Unit and information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighboring countries should remain operational round-theclock, the prime minister directed. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials from relevant departments.
SC rejects govt’s plea seeking permission for military courts to announce verdicts ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Monday rejected the government’s petition seeking permission for military courts to announce case verdicts. “Giving permission to announce verdicts would mean recognizing the authority of military courts,” remarked Justice Musarrat Hilali during the hearing. Headed by Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, the bench also includes Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan. During the hearing, the court questioned Khawaja’s counsel, asking: “Do you recognise the con-
stitutional bench?” In response, the counsel said: “I do not accept the jurisdiction of the constitutional bench.” Justice Mandokhail, addressing this remark, said: “Then you may leave the courtroom.” The counsel further asserted that the current constitutional bench was nominated by the Judicial Commission. At this, Justice Mandokhail inquired whether the 26th Constitutional Amendment had been invalidated? He was joined by Justice Mazhar, who observed: “You are employing delaying tactics. At every hearing, some new request emerges.” “If the 26th Amendment is annulled, judicial decisions will be safeguarded. Even those detained under military courts desire this outcome,” added Justice Mazhar. The bench then called Hafeezullah Niazi to the rostrum. Justice Mandokhail asked him: “Do you wish to proceed with this
case?” Niazi affirmed: “Yes, I want to proceed.” Addressing him further, Justice Musarrat Hilali asked him to consider those languishing in jails; you lack the legal standing to pursue this case. Justice Mandokhail added: “You are delaying proceedings because no loved one of yours is in custody.” Justice Mandokhail clarified that the SC was functioning under the constitutional amendment. He explained: “All benches are being formed under the new amendment, and even the case concerning the amendment will be heard by a bench constituted under it.” Furthermore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja, who is a lawyer by profession, told the bench that he also had objections to certain parts of the judgment authored by Justice Munib Akhtar and would present his arguments on the matter.
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Court again defers indictment of Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana 2.0 case
irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
An accountability court has once again postponed the indictment in the Toshakhana 2.0 case involving former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The hearing, held in Adiala Jail on Monday, was presided over by Special Judge Central Shah Rukh, but no charges were formally filed. The court has deferred the indictment until December 12, while Bushra Bibi’s arrest warrant was cancelled following her appearance in court. The court also provided the FIA with copies of the investigation report at the request of the defendants. In a separate development, the defendants in the £190 million reference case submitted their responses to the Section 342 questionnaire. Following the submissions, the hearing for the reference was adjourned until December 12. The hearing was conducted at Adiala Jail by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, who is overseeing both cases. Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi received the Bulgari jewelry set during a visit to Saudi Arabia from May 7 to 10, 2021. The jewelry set included a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings. During the investigation for the reference, it was found that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi illegally retained the Bulgari jewelry set. On May 18, 2021, the Deputy Military Secretary informed the Section Officer of Toshakhana to assess and declare the value of the jewelry set, but it was not deposited. According to the reference, Bulgari had sold the necklace to the Saudi Arabian franchise Solugent Trading on May 25, 2018, for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros. However, the prices of the bracelet and ring were not available. On May 28, 2021, the total value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately Rs75,661,600 The necklace was valued at 56,496,000 Rupees, and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.
Maulana Fazl trashes government proposals regarding seminary bill CHARSADDA
STAFF REPORT
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday rejected any proposed amendments to the Madrasah bill by the government, stating that his party is unwilling to accept any of their suggestions. Speaking at a press conference in Charsadda, Fazlur Rehman said that if the government were to present any amendments, they [JUI-F] would not even consider them. He asserted that the government’s proposals would be rejected outright. Fazlur Rehman also questioned why the President returned the Madrasah bill, which had already been approved by the National Assembly and the Senate, with objections. He noted that if the President could sign other bills into law, there should be no reason to send the Madrasah bill back with objections.
Addressing the government’s claims regarding the affiliation of madrasahs with the Ministry of Education, Fazlur Rehman clarified that the bill provides madrasahs with complete autonomy to affiliate with any federal institution, whether under the 1860 Act or the Ministry of Education. The JUI-F chief also expressed concerns about attempts to create divisions among religious scholars and madrasahs over the bill. He stressed that there was consensus among all scholars and madrasahs regarding the bill. He mentioned that a significant meeting, called by Mufti Taqi Usmani and the president of the Federation of Madrasahs, is scheduled for December 17, where a unified decision on the bill will be made. Fazlur Rehman advised the government not to politicize the matter, as the issue is about law and regulation. He criticized the government’s attempt to bring madrasahs
under an executive order, which he described as an attempt to control them. A day earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that if his party decides to march to the federal capital, the bullets of opponents may run out, but his party’s resolve will not waver. “We are not mummy-daddy types to flee. Those in uniform and agencies should listen and stop threatening us. Stay within your limits; no one is tougher than us,” he asserted. He said his party had been deceived, defrauded, and betrayed about the religious seminaries’ bill. “The agreement has been violated. This is not a government of the people, but of the establishment. We are not the ones rejecting Pakistan’s ideology the ‘establishment’ is. You have chosen a path to destroy and dismantle Pakistan, a country to which you have contributed neither its creation nor its preservation.”
Wafaq-ul-Madaris chief assures Mohsin Naqvi of support on Madaris Bill LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Maulana Fazl Raheem Ashrafi, Patron-inChief of Wafaq-ul-Madaris, pledged to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that the religious education body would play a constructive role in resolving concerns over the proposed Madaris Bill. The assurance came during a meeting at Jamia Ashrafia in Lahore on Monday. Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Jamia Ashrafia, where he inquired about Maulana Fazl Raheem’s health and conveyed his best wishes. The two leaders engaged in a
detailed discussion on the legislation aimed at regulating religious seminaries. Maulana Fazl Raheem stressed the importance of avoiding politicization of madaris issues, advocating for a focus on practical solutions. He proposed that Punjab should adopt a framework akin to the federal government’s approach by bringing madaris under the supervision of the education department. Minister Naqvi expressed gratitude for Wafaq-ul-Madaris’s willingness to contribute positively to the legislation process. The meeting concluded with Maulana Fazl Raheem offering special prayers for Pakistan’s security, development, and prosperity.