pakistan

Civilians’ trial case: SC to be bulwark against any unconstitutional step, says CJP Bandial

Published

10 months ago

August 3, 2023

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Civilians' trial case: SC to be bulwark against any unconstitutional step, says CJP Bandial

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday adjourned the hearing of a set of petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts for an indefinite period.

In a remark during the course of proceedings, CJP Umar Ata Bandial categorically said the apex court would not allow the army to go for any unconstitutional step.

A six-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik heard the petitions.

At the outset of the hearing, senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan came to the rostrum and asked the court to take a suo motu notice on proposed amendments to the Official Secrets Act.

He said the new law empowered intelligence agencies to search anyone at any time without getting warrant, adding that unlimited powers had been given to the spy agencies under the bill without any legislation. He added that there was a martial law-like situation in the country.

At this point, the chief justice asked whether the amendments made to the Officials Secrets Act were a bill or had been approved as law. Aitzaz replied that it was under consideration in the Senate.

Saying he was not much aware of the development, the CJP said as per the previous apex court’s ruling, the CJP alone could not take a suo motu notice.

Later, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan presented his arguments. He said the assurances given to the court regarding civilians’ trial in the military courts would be implemented.

At one point, Justice Akhtar said the military trial of civilians was tantamount to having a parallel judicial system in the country.

The attorney general said military courts operated like the tribunals handled by the people associated with the armed forces and defence institutions. He added that court martial could not be carried out by courts formed under Article 175 of the Constitution, hence there was no right to appeal in it.

Justice Bandial said the apex court was reviewing the constitutional status of trial of civilians for committing an offence under the Army Act.

The AGP said a civilian, who is involved in a crime related to the armed forces, could be sent to military courts for trial.

During the hearing, the chief justice said it was not possible to conduct hearing of the petitions in the next two weeks and later adjourned the case for an indefinite period.

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pakistan

KP CM Gandapur’s interim bail extended till May 28 in arson attack case

Published

10 hours ago

May 18, 2024

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KP CM Gandapur's interim bail extended till May 28 in arson attack case

A district and sessions court of Rawalpindi on Saturday extended the interim bail of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur till May 28.

The additional district and sessions judge conducted hearing of interim bail plea for Ali Amin Gandapur in a case of arson and meddling government affairs. Advocate Muhammad Faisal Malik appeared on behalf of the KP chief minister.

During the hearing, a request was submitted by KP CM Gandapur for exemption from attending court proceedings which was accepted by the court.

Gandapur had made the request due to his official engagement in government affairs. Later, the additional district and sessions judge extended the interim bail of CM Gandapur till May 28.

It should be remembered that a case was registered against Gandapur in Nasirabad police station.

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pakistan

CM Maryam directs measures for land record digitalisation

Published

10 hours ago

May 18, 2024

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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued directives to implement concrete measures for the digitalization of land records across the province.

Presided over a crucial session focused on Board of Revenue reforms, CM Nawaz received a comprehensive briefing on the Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement (PULSE) project.

During the session, officials from the Punjab Land Record Authority and Management of State Land provided insights into the project’s business plan and execution strategies.

The digitalization of land records under the PULSE project is being undertaken with the support of the World Bank.

This ambitious initiative aims to digitize all land records in Punjab on an owner-based system, marking a significant step towards transparency and efficiency in revenue management.

Key highlights from the briefing include the categorization of land properties into clear, and disputed categories, denoted by green, yellow, and red respectively.

Each buyer will be assigned a unique property number, streamlining legal processes and reducing complications associated with property transactions.

The implementation of a transparent partition of land and parcel document system will enhance the transparency and fairness of revenue management.

The digitalization process will also simplify the Record of Rights (Fard) and property transfer system, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for citizens.

In a move to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, the government plans to introduce services such as overseas property transfer, mutation, registration, and e-survey.

CM Maryam Nawaz has underscored the importance of swift action and collaboration among relevant departments to expedite the digitalization of land records.

Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari, MPA Sania Ashiq, chief secretary, P&D chairman, SMU head and other officials attended the session.

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pakistan

PM directs envoy to extend all possible help to Pakistani students

Published

11 hours ago

May 18, 2024

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PM directs envoy to extend all possible help to Pakistani students

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek to provide all possible help to Pakistani students.

Prime Minister Sharif contacted the Pakistani Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hassan Ali Zaigham by telephone and directed to provide all kind of support and assistance to the Pakistani students. He also ordered the Pakistani ambassador to visit the hostels and meet the students.

On this occasion, the Pakistani ambassador informed the prime minister about the current situation in Bishkek and said no Pakistani was killed in the incident.

He said the embassy was assisting the wounded students. The prime minister emphasised to keep in constant touch with the parents of the students and provide them timely information.

PM Sharif directed that all kinds of medical facilities should be provided to the injured students, and arrangements should be made for immediate return of the injured students who were willing to return to Pakistan.

Government of Pakistan will bear the cost of return of students. The prime minister said he was personally monitoring the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

“We will not leave our students alone in this situation. Our government is also in touch with the government of Kyrgyzstan,” said the prime minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the attacks on students from Pakistan and other countries in Kyrgyzstan. He directed the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek to provide all possible help to the Pakistani students.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the Pakistani Embassy had provided emergency numbers and was continuously monitoring the situation.

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