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JUSTICE AMINUDDIN SWORN IN AS ‘INAUGURAL’ CHIEF JUSTICE OF FCC
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Saturday, 15 November, 2025 | 23 Jamadiul Awwal, 1447
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FCC INAUGURATED FOLLOWING ENACTMENT OF THE 27TH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
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SIX JUDGES APPOINTED TO FCC WITH JUSTICES-RIZVI, FAROOQ AND NAJAFI TAKE OATH AT IHC
President Zardari accepts resignations of Justices Shah and Athar Minallah
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USTICE Aminuddin Khan on Friday was sworn in as the first chief justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), just a day after the 27th Constitutional Amendment was formally enacted into law. The ceremony, held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad, marked a major milestone in Pakistan’s judicial reforms and the creation of a specialized body to adjudicate constitutional matters. The high-profile event was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Supreme Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also sat alongside Justice Aminuddin on the stage. Prominent political figures, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, his sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani, and members of the federal cabinet, were present at the ceremony. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, after which President Zardari administered the oath to Justice Aminuddin in English. In his oath, Justice Aminuddin vowed to discharge his duties strictly according to the Constitution and law while adhering to the code of conduct issued by the Supreme Judicial Council. “That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions. That I will pre-
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ISLAMABAD
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serve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” Justice Aminuddin affirmed, before shaking hands with the president. His appointment, made by President Zardari a day earlier under Clause 3 of Article 175A, read with Article 175C of the Constitution, officially came into effect upon his oath-taking. The FCC’s establishment, revived as part of the judicial reforms under the 27th Amendment, aims to reduce the Supreme Court’s workload, ensure timely adjudication of constitutional cases, and strengthen judicial independence and credibility. President Zardari also appointed six additional judges to the FCC: Justices Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Aamer Farooq, and Ali Baqar Najafi of the Supreme Court; Justice KK Agha of the Sindh High
Court; Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech; and Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah, following Justice Musarrat Hilali’s decision not to join. Three judges of Federal Constitutional Court take oath On other hand, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Amir Farooq, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi took the oath as judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, who himself took office short while earlier as the first chief justice of the court. The ceremony brought together senior judges, legal officers and representatives of the bar. Judges and legal community attend the ceremony. Several prominent members of the judiciary attended the oath-taking ceremony, including Islamabad High Court Justice Arbab Tahir, Justice Khadim Soomro, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, Justice Muham-
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday formally accepted the resignations of Supreme Court judges Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, a post on the President’s official X account confirmed. The resignations came hours after the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment was signed into law, which both judges described as a “direct affront to the judiciary and the 1973 Constitution.” Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in his detailed 13-page resignation letter addressed to the President in English and Urdu, described the amendment as a “grave assault on the Constitution” that dismantled the Supreme Court, subjugated the judiciary to executive control, and struck at the “very heart of our constitutional democracy.”
mad Asif, Justice Inam Amin Minhas Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Punjab Advocate General Amjad Pervez, and various law officers were also present.
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FO denies ‘authorisation’ of PM aide’s meeting with Israeli official, reiterates support for Palestine Jordan’s King Abdullah II arrives in Pakistan for two-day visit today ISLAMABAD
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Jordan’s King Abdullah II will arrive in Pakistan for a two-day state visit today (Saturday) at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which he is expected to hold high-level meetings with the prime minister and the president, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Friday. The Jordanian monarch’s last visit to Pakistan was at the invitation of former president Mamnoon Hussain. Two memoranda of understanding were signed by both nations, with one related to cooperation in civil protection and defence and the other to cooperation in the housing sector. According to the FO, Saturday’s high-level visit reflects the “longstanding, fraternal relations” between Islamabad and Amman. “It will serve to further strengthen the strategic direction of Pakistan–Jordan relations and place them on a higher trajectory, encompassing a comprehensive and broad-based partnership in the political, economic, and cultural spheres,” the statement read. “During his visit … King Abdullah II … will hold important meetings with the president and the prime minister of Pakistan,” the statement added.
ISLAMABAD
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Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday said it had “no information” regarding the prime minister’s coordinator on tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas, reportedly interacting with an Israeli ministry official in London, reiterating that “if such a meeting or interaction took place, it was certainly without authorisation by the government.” During a weekly briefing, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated, “I have no information on this meeting. The gentleman you referred to is a public figure. I would request you to ask him about the meeting. I have no information on this.” He later emphasized that any unauthorised engagement with Israel would
not reflect government policy. The comments came after a video surfaced on social media showing Ilyas shaking hands with Michael Izhar-Kov, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, during the World Travel Market in London, held from November 4 to 6. Israeli journalist Rai Kais noted on X that Pakistan had recently been mentioned as a potential contributor to an international force in Gaza, while London-based journalist Murtaza Ali Shah reported that Israeli representatives visited the Pakistan Pavilion unannounced. Reacting strongly, former JI senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan condemned the meeting as a betrayal of Palestinians, while writer Fatima Bhutto described it as “disgusting treason.” PTI leader and ex-human rights minister Shireen Mazari
questioned the manner in which the meeting occurred. On Pakistan’s participation in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a US-brokered initiative under the Gaza Peace Agreement, Andrabi clarified that “no decision has been taken as yet.” He noted that the UN Security Council is still finalising the ISF’s mandate and stressed that any participation by Pakistan would involve the Parliament. The FO reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position of non-recognition of Israel and firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including establishing an independent state on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Recent FO statements also rejected reports of any changes to passport regulations or clauses prohibiting travel to Israel.
PHC bars KP govt from employing official vehicles for ‘personal or political use’ PESHAWAR
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The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday imposed a “comprehensive ban on the use of government vehicles, machinery, and other official resources” by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for “personal or political purposes.” The court ruled that deploying public resources for political activities constitutes “misconduct and abuse of authority,” emphasizing the need for impartial governance. In its short order, the PHC observed that the use of official vehicles or manpower for political gatherings, protest rallies, or long marches violates public trust and undermines the principle of neutral administration. “This court is of the view that the use of official vehicles, machinery, or any other government resources for participation in, or facilitation of, political gatherings constitutes a blatant misuse of public property and authority,” the order stated. The ruling underscored that public resources are procured and maintained from the public exchequer to perform official duties and provide services to citizens. Their diversion for political or extraneous purposes, whether directly or indirectly, undermines the sanctity of public office and erodes citizens’ confidence in the fairness and impartiality of governance. Citing Articles 4 (right of individuals to be dealt with according to law), 5 (loyalty to the state), and 25 (equality of citizens) of the Constitution, the PHC emphasized that no party or individual can use public resources “to the disadvantage of others.” The court further stressed that, in a democratic system governed by the rule of law, a strict separation must exist between official functions and political activities. “The use of government vehicles or personnel in political events conveys an impression of state endorsement or complicity in partisan matters, which is impermissible,” the order added. The PHC directed the KP government to ensure that no official vehicle, machinery, or manpower under its control is deployed, used, or permitted for any protest, long march, rally, or political activity of any nature. The ruling follows a petition filed last November against the KP government, then led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, alleging misuse of fire engines and heavy machinery during the PTI long march to Islamabad. The protest, held to demand the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, reportedly involved clashes between supporters and police at D-Chowk, amid reports of tear gas shelling and the retreat of party leadership from the Red Zone. Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal welcomed the PHC decision, calling it a safeguard against the misuse of public tax money and official machinery. Speaking to a private television channel, he emphasized that political parties should resolve differences through dialogue and not rely on state resources for partisan gains. “Pakistan Armed Forces are fighting the war on terror and sacrificing their lives for the motherland. The message must be that we are united to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” he said. Mustafa Kamal described the PHC ruling as a positive step toward ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness in governance, reaffirming that public resources are meant to serve citizens, not political interests.
TTAP doubles down on nationwide protest drive against 26th, 27th amendments ISLAMABAD
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The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) on Friday vowed to mount a forceful, countrywide pushback “through all democratic means” to restore the Constitution to its original form, intensifying its campaign
in the aftermath of the passage of the ‘contentious’ 26th and 27th amendments. President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the contentious 27th Constitutional Amendment on Thursday, enacting it into law. The TTAP had already announced a nationwide protest movement against the amendment since Sunday and once again urged the people to take a
stand against what it termed an “extremely dark and dangerous” change in the Constitution. In a post on X today, the TTAP said it was holding an emergency meeting at the residence of Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. Those in attendance included Qaiser,
PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai and others such as Zain Ali Shah, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Ali Asghar Khan, Hussain Akhwandzada, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shaukat Basra.
Pakistan, Tajikistan agree to boost defence, counter-terrorism and regional security cooperation RAWALPINDI
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Pakistan and Tajikistan have agreed to expand their defence cooperation, focusing on training, counter-terrorism, and regional security, the military’s media wing confirmed on Friday. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Colonel General Sobirzoda Emomali Abdulrahim, Minister of Defence of Tajikistan, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation, expressing their resolve to strengthen existing military-to-military ties. Both sides emphasized enhanced collaboration in training, counter-terrorism, and regional security ini-
tiatives. The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged its contribution to regional stability and peace. The COAS underscored the importance of collective efforts for regional stability and prosperity, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening defence and security ties with Tajikistan. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries, terming Tajikistan a bridge to the heart of Central Asia and Pakistan as its gateway to international waters, during a call-on with the Tajik Defence Minister at Aiwan-e-Sadr. He stressed that the two states could play a significant role in promoting peace and stability in the region. President Zardari welcomed the delegation and noted Pakistan’s long-standing, multi-faceted relationship with Tajikistan, rooted in shared history, culture, and linguistic affinity. He reminded that Pakistan was
among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with Tajikistan in 1992 and encouraged further enhancement of political, cultural, and people-to-people contacts. He highlighted the vast potential for bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the flagship CASA-1000 project. Zardari also welcomed the expanding defence cooperation, citing the successful organization of the Dosti-II military exercise as a testimony to the historic ties between the two brotherly states. The Tajik Defence Minister expressed Tajikistan’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, reinforcing the strategic partnership. The delegation included Ambassador Sharifzoda Yusuf Tohir, Col Rasulzoda Karim Abdurasul, Maj Gen Hakimzoda Zarif Yunusi, and Maj Gen Amonullozoda Aminjon Amonullo, while Senators Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwalla also attended the meeting.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia pledge to build long-standing military partnership RIYADH
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Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, met General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of General Staff of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, during a highlevel visit to Riyadh, according to the military’s media wing on Friday. In a statement the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “The discussions centred on mutual strategic interests, with particular emphasis on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, strengthening interoperability and expanding collaboration under
the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.” Both sides underlined their resolve to build on the long-standing military partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and greater self-reliance, the statement said. The meeting highlighted the depth of the defence relationship, as officials reviewed ongoing collaborative efforts and discussed measures to broaden the scope of joint programmes. The two militaries reaffirmed their intent to further operational cooperation, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and amplify the strategic value of their existing frameworks.