pakistan

IHC to hear Nawaz Sharif’s appeal in Al-Azizia reference on merit

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5 months ago

December 7, 2023

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IHC to hear Nawaz Sharif's appeal in Al-Azizia reference on merit

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday decided to hear PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s appeal against his conviction in the Al-Azizia reference on merit.

The hearing was conducted by IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

Despite the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) request to send the appeal back to the accountability court, the bench declined and opted to examine the case on its substantive grounds.

An accountability court had awarded seven years imprisonment to Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference, besides imposing a fine of 2.5 million pounds. Nawaz Sharif had appealed this decision, seeking to overturn the imprisonment and fine.

Also read: Nawaz Sharif gets bail in Toshakhana case after relief in other references

Meanwhile, NAB argued for an increased sentence, contending that the accountability court’s judgment was too lenient.

Previously, the IHC had accepted Nawaz Sharif’s appeal and acquitted him in the Avenfield Apartments reference, prompting NAB to withdraw its appeal against his acquittal in the Flagship reference.

This legal saga traces back to 2017 when the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif for not disclosing a receivable salary, leading to NAB filing multiple references, including those related to Avenfield, Al-Azizia Steel Mills, and Flagship, following the Panama Papers disclosure.

While serving his sentence related to the Al-Azizia case, Nawaz Sharif’s health complications led to a diagnosis of an immune system disorder. Consequently, he was permitted to seek medical treatment abroad based on doctors’ recommendations.

In December 2020, Nawaz Sharif was labeled a “proclaimed offender” for not returning to the country intentionally in both cases. Following his absence during the appeal proceedings in the IHC, his appeals against convictions were dismissed in June 2021 by the bench led by Justice Aamer Farooq.

However, in October of the following year, Nawaz Sharif returned to the country after securing protective bail in both graft cases. He surrendered before the court, leading to the restoration of his appeals.

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pakistan

Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Published

10 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Ali Pervaiz sworn in as minister of state

Member of the National Assembly Ali Pervaiz took the oath of the office of Minister of State here on Friday.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to Ali Pervaiz in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, parliamentarians, and notables from different walks of life.

Ali Pervaiz was elected as MNA from NA-119 constituency of Lahore on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in the recently held by-election.

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pakistan

Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in ‘illegal weapons, alcohol case’ on May 20

Published

10 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Court summons Ali Amin Ganadapur in 'illegal weapons, alcohol case' on May 20

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear in person before the court on May 20 regarding a case involving allegations of possessing weapons and alcohol.

During a hearing presided over by Judicial Magistrate Sohaib Bilal of Islamabad district and session court, the court handed a questionnaire consisting of nine questions to Ali Gandapur’s counsel, Zahoorul Hassan.

The questionnaire seeks responses from the accused regarding various aspects of the case.

Among the questions posed to Gandapur are inquiries about his awareness of the evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution during the hearing, as well as his involvement in a gathering that allegedly violated orders issued by the district magistrate on October 30, 2016.

The court seeks clarification on an incident where Gandapur reportedly fled into a forest from his car, which was subsequently apprehended by the police.

The questionnaire addresses the recovery of illegal arms, a liquor bottle, and a person identified as Allah Nawaz wearing a bulletproof jacket with an unlicensed gun in Gandapur’s car.

The court references a report from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency confirming the presence of alcohol in the bottle recovered from Gandapur’s vehicle.

The court also inquired about the filing of charges against Gandapur and the testimony provided by prosecution witnesses. the accused is given the option to present a defense under Section 340.

The case hearing has been adjourned until May 20 to allow Gandapur to respond to the questionnaire and ordered him to appear before the court in person on that date.

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pakistan

Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

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10 hours ago

May 17, 2024

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Summer vacation for schools in Punjab to start from June 1

The provincial education department on Friday announced the schedule for summer vacation across the province as above-normal temperatures hit the parts of country.

The department has issued a notification, stating that the summer holidays will be observed from June 1 to August 14. It added that all public and private schools will reopen on August 15 (Thursday).

The department has also revised the school timings to protect students and teachers from the blistering heat. As per the revised schedule, schools will open at 7:00am to 11:30am till Thursday while the classes will conclude at 10:30am on Fridays.

Meanwhile, Met office said due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over most parts of the country, especially over Punjab and Sindh from 21st May and likely to convert to severe heatwave conditions from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Sindh and Punjab from 21st to 23rd and from 06 to 08°C from 23rd to 27th May.

Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan from 21st to 27th May.

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