The Law Ministry has withdrawn its notification of October 11, 2018 regarding the removal of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, a former judge of the Islamabad High Court, in view of the Supreme Court judgment of March 22.

In a notification issued on Tuesday, the ministry stated that the president was pleased to retire Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on attaining the age of superannuation with effect from June 30, 2021.

A five-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, completed hearing on the constitutional petitions filed by Shaukat Siddiqui on Jan 23.

In its judgment handed down on March 22, the court struck down the Supreme Judicial Council’s ruling that removed the judge.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday filed a petition with an accountability court seeking acquittal in a reference regarding the acquisition of a vehicle from Toshakhana.

Accountability court judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the hearing on the Toshakhana vehicle reference against President Asif Ali Zardari and former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Advocate Arshad Tabraiz appeared before the court on behalf of President Zardari, while PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was represented by advocate Rana Muhammad Irfan, who filed an acquittal plea in the reference on behalf of his client.

During the hearing, judge Nasir Rana remarked that notices were issued to the parties on the plea of acquittal. Upon this, the NAB prosecutor said that he would send the petition for acquittal to the NAB headquarters, requesting a short notice.

The court has called arguments on Nawaz Sharif’s acquittal plea on May 23.

During the hearing, a request for exemption from attendance was filed by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the court accepted the request.

Lawyer Arshad Tabraiz told the court that President Zardari enjoyed presidential immunity, arguing that the case could not be proceeded.

The accountability court adjourned the hearing on the reference related to Toshahhana vehicles till June 3.

On April 17, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) gave a clean chit to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the reference related to Toshakhana vehicles.

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry on Tuesday said perpetrators and facilitators of May 9 will have to face punishment as per law and Constitution.

Addressing a press conference, Maj-Gen Sharif Chaudhry said May 9 episode was an open secret and people of Pakistan as well as armed forces had all the proofs and evidence with them.

He said May 9 was not Pakistan armed forces’ case but it was a case of all Pakistani people. Attempt was made to create hatred among people of the country. It was essential to punish the perpetrators of May 9 to keep believing in the judicial system of the country, he added.

People were brainwashed through propaganda against armed forces, agencies and institutions of the country. The ISPR spokesperson said establishment of peace in the country was foremost priority of security forces which would go to every limit to eliminate terrorists from Pakistan.

Maj-Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had fought a long war against terrorism. The army sacrificed precious lives of its soldiers in a big number in this war. He said Pakistan was playing its part in establish peace in the region.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan has been extending help to Afghan refugees for a long time. He said Pakistan had also helped the interim Afghan government at international level in anyway.

He said Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP’s) terrorists were staging attacks in Pakistan using Afghan soil. He said there were clear evidence that these attacks were originating from Afghan soil. In the same way Bisham attack was also planned on Afghan soil. He said steps were being taken to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The army chief has already made it clear that there was no place for terrorists in Pakistan, he added. At least 100 intelligence based operation were undertaken and terrorists were apprehended. The war on terror will continue till elimination of last terrorist from the country.

The spokesperson said Pakistan will keep on raising voice for the oppressed Kashmiris. “Pakistan stands with Kashmiris in the just struggle for freedom. Their movement will get reward one day and they will emerge victorious.

The DG ISPR further said that about 500,000 Afghan refugees had gone back to their country but still Pakistan was hosting tens of millions of refugees. About failed terrorist attack on North Waziristan checkpost, he said several soldiers embraced martyrdom in the attack.

The spokesperson said on March 26 a tragic took place and all the clues found in the incident pointed towards Afghanistan. He said Dasu Dam planning was done in Afghanistan. The attacker of Dasu Dam incident was an Afghan national.