pakistan

I.A. Rehman – an inspirational legacy

Published

1 year ago

April 12, 2023

admin

April 12, 2023 marks the second death anniversary of iconic journalist I.A. Rehman. One feels it is difficult to do adequate justice to a recollection of his class and contributions by employing an array of cliched superlatives or a ceremonial stock of words. I.A. Rehman was much more than that… the champion of many a humanitarian cause, the voice of the voiceless and the chronicler of injustices in society. He was truly reckoned an ambassador of peace.

As a writer, the gamut of issues he covered, his command over the English language and composure set him apart from many luminaries of his day and age. The recurrent themes and subjects he wrote about included the rights of minorities and the downtrodden, dignity of labour, misdemeanours of the powers that be and a host of social ills.

He advocated respect for institutions, supremacy of rule of law and democratic ideals while writing incessantly for more than six decades on a multitude of themes – all along showing commitment and consistency like an accomplished batsman who plays a memorable innings. Rehman Sahib’s innings had its ups and downs in the form of incarcerations and personal tragedies but he did not waver, or lose his concentration (to be more precise), till last.

The fact that he rarely used the first person singular in his writings goes to show his regard for journalistic principles. In a similar fashion, he adhered to other professional canons such as objectivity and a sense of proportion and called the high and mighty, politicians of all hue and self-seeking adventurers out without naming or scoffing at anyone.He was always concerned about issues rather than personalities and did not shy from pointing out the wrongs of even the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his party despite being its ‘supporter’ for many years.

A well-written obituary is the true measure of a writer’s calibre and an art of which Rehman Sahib was an exponent. The fond memories of colleagues, comrades, men of letters and the promoters of noble causes he recorded in his columns are works of high literary merit and these, along with other writings, are worthy of being preserved for researchers, students and all those who put a premium on the values he stood for.

One remembers the occasion when Rehman Sahib was awarded the lifetime achievement award at a Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) session at Alhamra a few years ago. The standing ovation and applause he received from the audience must be one of the most cherished memories of his life.

His passing left a void which is hard to fill. At the time of his death, the outpourings of grief from many parts of the world testified to the amount of respect he enjoyed for bringing light to countless lives. Today, the light may have gone out but its radiance will continue to inspire a legion of his admirers.

Post Views: 128

pakistan

Court reserves verdict on PTI founder’s bail plea in May 9 case

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

admin

Court reserves verdict on PTI founder's bail plea in May 9 case

The Islamabad district and sessions court has reserved verdict on the bail plea of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in the May 9 case.

Judicial Magistrate Omar Shabbir heard the case against the PTI leader registered in Shahzad Town police station.

Naeem Haider Panjhota, Sardar Masroof and Amina Ali appeared before the judge as counsel for the PTI leader.

The lawyers said the case against the PTI founder had not been pursued by an authorised officer. All cases against him had been instituted on the basis of politics and should, therefore, be quashed, they demanded.

The court after listening to the arguments reserved the verdict.

Post Views: 8

pakistan

Rawalpindi court bins plea for initiating case against former commissioner Liaquat Chattha

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

admin

Rawalpindi court bins plea for initiating case against former commissioner Liaquat Chattha

The Rawalpindi Sessions Court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking the registration of a case against former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Hakim Khan issued a two-page written order on the petition.

In its order, the court observed that apart from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a departmental inquiry was also being conducted against the former commissioner.

If the allegations were proven in the ECP and departmental inquiries, a legal action was certain, the order stated, adding that in this situation, there was no justification for registering a separate case against the former Rawalpindi commissioner.

Two lawyers from Rawalpindi had filed the petition seeking the registration of a case against former commissioner.

In a Feb 18 presser, the former commissioner admitted that elections in his division were “rigged”.

The commissioner accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja of being complicit in the rigging and asserted that he, along with the CEC and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, deserved punishment, even the death penalty, for their injustice.

Chattha expressed remorse for forcing his subordinates to engage in wrongdoing and admitted that winning candidates were made to lose on 13 seats in the Rawalpindi division.

Later on Feb 23, Chattha retracted his earlier statement in a written statement submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In the statement, Chattha confessed to having supported the narrative of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) about rigging in the general elections and maligning state institutions in exchange for a lucrative position in the future.

He stated he had been made this offer by a Lahore-based PTI leader with whom he had developed a close friendship.

Chattha alleged that “this entire planning had been formulated after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of PTI”.

He stated that this proposal was made by the said [PTI] individual in consideration of the fact that he was about to retire from service after having remained a part of the services for 32 years and enjoyed all the perks and privileges.

Post Views: 8

pakistan

IHC orders Zartaj Gul to appear before court with record in ECL name removal case

Published

23 hours ago

May 16, 2024

admin

IHC orders Zartaj Gul to appear before court with record in ECL name removal case

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought the record from Zartaj Gul’s counsel on a petition seeking the name removal of PTI leader and MNA Zartaj Gul from the Exit Control List (ECL).

IHC’s Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the case on Zartaj Gul’s name removal from ECL.

During the hearing, the state counsel stated that Zartaj Gul’s name has been included in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).

Upon inquiry from the court, the state counsel informed that Zartaj Gul’s name was included in PNIL on the order of Islamabad and Punjab police, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was responsible for including the name in PNIL.

Also read: PTI’s Shibli Faraz, Raja Basharat, Zartaj Gul secure bail in May 9 cases

State counsel added that five cases were registered against Zartaj Gul in Islamabad and Punjab.

The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Usama, disclosed that Zartaj Gul has been granted bail in those cases. He reiterated that the name was being included in the PNIL list despite being on bail.

During the hearing, Justice Tariq Jahangiri inquired about how many cases Zartaj Gul has been granted bail in and ordered the petitioner to appear before the court in the next hearing.

Consequently, IHC has adjourned the case hearing until next week by directing Zartaj Gul’s counsel to appear before the court in the next hearing with records.

Post Views: 8