pakistan

SC’s Justice Mansoor puts Imran Khan on the defensive in NAB amendments case

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7 months ago

February 10, 2023

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SC's Justice Mansoor puts Imran Khan on the defensive in NAB amendments case

The Supreme Court on Friday raised questions over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his party’s move to avoid the parliament proceedings when voting was held on the amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance in August last.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard a petition filed by Mr Khan against the amendments, which were approved after the PTI lawmakers resigned from the assembly following the ouster of the PTI chief as prime minister in April last.

“Does someone, who avoided voting on the legislation, resever a right to challenge it in court?” Justice Mansoor questioned, adding: “The membership of the National Assembly remains intact until the resignations are not accepted”.

“Since MNAs are public representatives if it is correct for them to boycott the parliament’s proceedings,” he asked, adding: “Isn’t boycotting the legislation and then moving court tantamount to weakening democracy?”

How it would be determined that NAB amendment case is a matter of public interest, he asked, adding that Mr Khan did not highlight in the petition that the amendments were in conflict with basic rights.

Makhdoom Ali Khan, the counsel for the federal government, said Imran Khan could have failed the government’s bid to approve change NAB laws if his party had attended the joint parliament session. To which, CJP Bandial said a reply would be sought from the PTI chief on this point.

The chief justice said a matter related to public interest could not be disposed on a basis that the conduct of the applicant was not appropriate. Boycotting the parliament proceedings was a political move of the PTI, the top judge said.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan also remarked that conduct of Imran Khan could be questioned if the NAB amendments provides him personal benefits.

The federal government’s lawyer contended that challenging the amendments could bring political benefits to the PTI chairman.

“One person has challenged the NAB amendments and it is possible that other members of his party are in favor of the amendments,” Justice Mansoor remarked.

After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the case till Feb 14.

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Related Topics:Featured NAB pakistan Pakistan Politics PTI Supreme Court

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pakistan

Election date will alleviate uncertainty: Kaira

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Election date will alleviate uncertainty: Kaira

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira emphasised that providing a specific date by the Election Commission for general elections would help alleviate the prevailing uncertainty.

Kaira reiterated that the PPP firmly upholds its constitutional mandate to hold elections and believes it is essential for stability.

Furthermore, he clarified that the issue of a level playing field is distinct from this matter and should be addressed separately.

It is to be recalled that PPP co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had earlier requested the Election Commission (ECP) to announce a date for polls in the country.

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pakistan

Solangi for eliminating extremism, prejudices from society

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Solangi for eliminating extremism, prejudices from society

Federal Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said Thursday that the elimination of extremism and all types of prejudices was not only part of Islamic religious norms and Islamic history, but it was also a cornerstone of the Pakistan ideology.

In his speech at a peace festival here, the minister said that the National Counter-Terrorism Authority had taken important steps to eliminate extremism and terrorism from society.

Solangi said that extremism was one of the elements that destroyed peace and violence which bred terrorism.

The minister said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had highlighted the rights of minorities in his speech of August 11, 1947. He said that Islam also taught kindness to humanity, irrespective of caste and creed.

Solangi said that anti-peace forces wanted to weaken the power of Pakistan by targeting minorities as diversity was Pakistan’s strength. “All the people of the state of Pakistan enjoyed equal rights.”

The minister said the promotion and protection of minorities’ rights on the principle of equality was a major weapon against extremism. He said that time had come to eliminate all types of prejudices from society, as it was one aspect of the ideology of the creation of Pakistan.

The minister also recalled that 22 years ago in 2001, the United Nations had announced to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 every year. In 2023, he added, 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would also be marked which was an important milestone in itself.

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pakistan

Captain Safdar acquitted of sedition, MPO violation charges

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1 day ago

September 21, 2023

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Captain Safdar acquitted of sedition, MPO violation charges

A district court on Thursday acquitted Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar, the son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in two cases involving charges of sedition, criminal intimidation and violation of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

Judicial Magistrate Bilal Muneer Warraich pronounced the judgment which had been reserved on the previous hearing.

Advocates Farhad Ali Shah and Haroon Bhutta appeared before the court on behalf of their client Captain (r) Safdar.

Two FIRs had been registered with the Islampura police station against Safdar under different charges, including the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and 124-A & 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

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