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Beirut blast victims’ relatives rally for embattled probe judge

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Beirut blast victims' relatives rally for embattled probe judge

Families of victims killed in the 2020 Beirut explosion rallied Thursday to support the judge investigating the disaster, after he was charged by Lebanon’s top prosecutor in the highly politically case.

Security was tight at the palace of justice in Beirut, where dozens of family members of the victims gathered “to support the investigation” led by investigative judge Tarek Bitar.

One of history’s biggest non-nuclear explosions, the August 4, 2020 blast destroyed much of the Lebanese capital’s port and surrounding areas, killing more than 215 people and injuring over 6,500. No official has been held accountable for the disaster.

Bitar this week defied Lebanon’s entrenched ruling elite by daring to charge several powerful figures — including prosecutor general Ghassan Oueidat — over the blast, and revived a probe that was suspended for over a year amid vehement political and legal pushback.

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Oueidat in turn charged Bitar for insubordination and for “usurping power,” calling him for questioning on Thursday — a summons Bitar is not expected to attend.
He also ordered the release of all those detained in the case, and slapped a travel ban on Bitar.

The organisation of families of those killed called the move against Bitar a “political, security and judicial coup d’etat”.

Relatives of the victims and rights groups have blamed the disaster on an entrenched political class widely seen as inept.

Lebanon has a history of political assassinations, and authorities are now “entirely responsible for the judge’s safety,” the families warned.

Bitar, handling the biggest case since former prime minister Rafik Hariri’s 2005 assassination, was forced to suspend his probe for 13 months after a barrage of lawsuits, mainly from politicians he had summoned on charges of negligence.

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The judicial arm-wrestling between Bitar and Oueidat is the latest of crisis-torn Lebanon’s mounting woes, as the value of the national currency hit new record lows against the US dollar this week.

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to “urgently pass a resolution to create an impartial fact-finding mission” into the port explosion.

“The Lebanese authorities have repeatedly obstructed the domestic investigation into the explosion,” the joint statement said.

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Interference in judiciary not acceptable: SCBA

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Interference in judiciary not acceptable: SCBA

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) released a statement regarding the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) about interference in the judicial matters.

SCBA President Shahzad Shoukat stressed the association’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. He expressed strong displeasure over the incident mentioned in the judges’ letter.

“Interference in the judiciary is not only condemnable but also warrants decisive action,” said the SCBA president.

The Supreme Court Bar Association reiterated its belief in the independence of the judiciary. It emphasised that any actions perceived as undermining this independence would not be accepted by the association. 

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Pakistan’s HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

Pakistan’s HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

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Pakistan's HC to UK visits Russian embassy, condoles deaths in Moscow concert attack

Dr Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, visited the Russian embassy in London to convey Pakistan’s condolences to the Russian people and government on the deadly terrorist attack in Moscow.

The death toll from last week’s Moscow concert hall attack jumped to 140 on Wednesday. The responsibility for the gruesome attack was claimed by the ISIS-K.

At the Russian embassy, Mohammad Faisal signed the condolence book, noting, “We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow. We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims. In this difficult hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and government of the Russian Federation.”

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PTI announces candidates for by-election

PTI announces candidates for by-election

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PTI announces candidates for by-election

Pakistan Tehreek Pakistan (PTI) has nominated its candidates for the by-elections.

According to PTI leader Hammad Azhar, Shahzad Farooq will contest from NA-119, Lahore and Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar from NA-132.

Azhar highlighted that Hakim Nisar would contest from PP-22, Chakwal, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from PP-32, Gujrat and Owais Qasim from PP-54, Narowal.

jaz Bhati would contest from PP-139, Sheikhupura, Hafiz Zeeshan from PP-149, Moonis Elahi from PP-158 and Yusuf Mayo from PP-164.

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In his message on social media site X, Azhar said the rest of the candidates would be announced soon while the PTI would put all its support behind candidates.

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