Tag: AGP

  • Court rejects poet Ahmad Farhad’s bail plea

    Court rejects poet Ahmad Farhad’s bail plea

    An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Muzafarabad has rejected the bail petition of Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad on Tuesday, one day after the court reserved a verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.

    The poet’s wife Urooj Zainab told journalists that she will challenge the court’s decision.

    “Details of why the bail was rejected were not disclosed,” she said addressing the press.

    The poet came into the spotlight when he went missing amid recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan told Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 29 that Kashmir police arrested Farhad after he went missing for 15 days.

    The poet’s wife, Urooj Zainab stated in a petition for her husband’s recovery that Farhad was allegedly abducted on May 14 from Islamabad.

  • Missing Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad meets family

    Missing Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad meets family

    After the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed about the whereabouts of missing Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad, his family met him at a police station in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday.

    Earlier, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Kasmiri poet Ahmad Farhad had been found in the custody of Azad Jammu and Kashmir police.

    Farhad’s wife Urooj Zainab requested the IHC  to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for her husband’s disappearance.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the petition filed by Urooj Zainab, while human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari is Zainab’s counsel in the case.

    A report by the DhirKot Kashmir police station was also presented before the court.

    During a hearing held on May 21, the AGP assured the court of efforts on the safe recovery of the missing poet.

    “[We] will do whatever it takes. [We] will rescue and recover [Farhad],” the AGP said while addressing the IHC judge and taking the responsibility to look into the matter.

    However, Justice Kayani directed the AGP to make sure that “no one gets picked up from Islamabad.”

  • Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government on Tuesday to safely recover Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad.

    During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani accepted Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan’s request to adjourn the hearing for the next four days and give time to the government to utilise resources for Farhad’s recovery.

    Justice Kayani asked the investigative officer about developments in the case. The officer told the court that he went to the spy agency’s office, but the sector commander was not there.

  • ‘I am strongly against stopping criticism, as freedom of the press is enshrined in the constitution,’ Chief Justice Faez Isa

    ‘I am strongly against stopping criticism, as freedom of the press is enshrined in the constitution,’ Chief Justice Faez Isa

    The Supreme Court (SC) has instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to promptly withdraw notices sent to journalists involved in a “malicious campaign” against the judiciary and institutions on social media as per Geo News.

    A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the case pertaining to harassment of journalists by FIA.

    CJP ISA told Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan that verbal abuse was a different matter and that the FIA should not take action against journalists, especially on criticism.

    The AGP assured the Chief Justice of Pakistan that journalists would not face any action.

    The chief justice remarked that he is strongly against curtailing criticism, as freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution. “I don’t care if you make fun of me, but if you make fun of the judiciary, the country will suffer. You can criticise the Supreme Court, but the Constitution also has some limitations,” he said.

    “If you think that you are benefiting me or the Supreme Court by stopping criticism, then you are harming [the institution],” CJP Isa remarked.

    Qazi Faez Isa also said that media persons are allowed to criticise, but the matter of incitement is different. “We can never restrain a common man or a journalist from criticising.”

    Justice Musarrat Hilali stated that there is no issue with fair criticism, but the language used is wrong.

  • Supreme Court will intervene if martial law-like situation happens

    Supreme Court will intervene if martial law-like situation happens

    If a martial law-like situation arises, then the Supreme Court will intervene, the apex court has said during a hearing on petitions against the trials of civilians in military courts.

    Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial said that the present case is not related to the death penalty.

    Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan describes the procedure of military trials in court.

    A six-member larger bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Atta Bandial, is hearing the case. Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha Malik are part of the larger bench.

    The AGP said in his arguments that incidents like May 9 have never happened in the history. He also mentioned that the faces of the people involved in May 9 riots are very clear.

    The Attorney General said that the court should adjourn further hearing for a month. In response, the chief justice said that the court will consult with each other and inform him about the next hearing date.

    Journalist Hasnaat Malik tweeted after the hearing, “So final fate of civilian’s trial in military courts will be decided during next CJP era. CJP Bandial wants stay in commencement of civilians trials till his retirement. He also made it clear that there is no martial law in the country”.

  • 102 people in army’s custody, AGP tells SC

    102 people in army’s custody, AGP tells SC

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, has told the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday that 102 people are currently in the army’s custody for trials.

    A seven-member bench included Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yayha Afridi, Justice Sayyed Ma­­zahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik hearing the petition.

    The AGP took to the rostrum in today’s hearing and told the seven member bench that 102 people are in the custody of the military, adding that no journalist or lawyer is included in the list.

    No minors or women are in the custody of the army, he added.

    Authorities had doubts about one of the people because his age is less than 18, and if his age is less than 18, he will be released, the AGP told the Supreme Court.

    A day earlier, the Chief Justice ignored a request for a stay order to stop the trial of civilians in the military courts by saying that it was not possible before listening to the AGP.

  • Imran Khan says ‘mistake’ made when filing a presidential reference against SC judge Faez Isa

    During a meeting with the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF), former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan accepted his mistake of filing a presidential reference for the removal of Supreme Court (SC) judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa, reports Hasnaat Malik for The Express Tribune.

    As per the news outlet, several attendees of the meeting have said that Khan thinks that the then relevant officials had misguided his government and Khan himself was not interested in pursuing the reference against Justice Faez Isa. Former Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan had convinced him that Justice Isa was an honest judge and he was misled in this case.

    A senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer said that Khan believed that one section within the judiciary was annoyed because of this reference case.

    In 2020, Khan accused Justice Faez of concealing assets and filed a reference against him. Justice Isa then asked the Supreme Court that a full bench be constituted, a plea that was accepted by then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa and after a months-long trial, in November a full bench of the apex court dismissed the petition against him.

    The purpose of the meeting with ILF was to discuss PTI’s social media activists who were being harassed by law enforcement agencies.

    PTI Secretary Asad Umar has announced that a petition will be filed against these unlawful and illegal raids and harassment of the party workers in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) today (Thursday).

  • Today’s highlights: Opposition submits no-confidence while PM remains unfazed

    Today’s highlights: Opposition submits no-confidence while PM remains unfazed

    A total of 86 lawmakers from the Opposition parties signed the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday in an effort to oust the PM.

    Opposition leaders — Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman confirmed the submission in a joint press conference.

    The government’s current number of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) stands at 179 while the Opposition has the support of 162 MNAs but they claim to have 186 members on their side.

    While addressing the conference, Zardari laughed when asked how many Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) assembly members are with him. He sarcastically said, “Naam bhi bata doon?” (Should I reveal the names also?)

    PM Khan remains unfazed

    PM Khan reportedly met with the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) to discuss legal aspects after the Opposition’s submission of a no-confidence motion against him. Not only this, the premier also had a meeting with YouTubers, in which he made several claims. He said that the army stands with the government, it will never support thieves.

    “After this, nothing will happen against this government till 2028. The Opposition will face a humiliating defeat,” he added.

    PM Khan is all set to visit Karachi tomorrow (Wednesday).

    Will Shehbaz Sharif become the new PM?

    Addressing the ‘Awami March’, former President Zardari hinted that Shehbaz Sharif might become the new PM (if the no-confidence motion is successful). He said, “It is time we bring a Shareef admi to replace the prime minister.”

    Another PPP leader, Naveed Qamar, said that it is likely that Shehbaz Sharif will be the next prime minister.

    CM Buzdar resignation matter

    As per reports, Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar presented his resignation to the PM but he didn’t accept the resignation and reportedly said that Buzdar will always be CM of Punjab. Buzdar also vowed that even if he is no longer CM, he will always stand by Khan.

    Moreover, there are several media reports which suggest that members within PTI aren’t really happy with Buzdar. Aleem Khan and Jahangir Tareen group said that the only way to move forward in Punjab is minus-Buzdar.

    Awami March reaches Islamabad

    PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Awami March has reached Islamabad. In an exclusive interview with Hamid Mir on Geo News’ programme Capital Talk, Bilawal said that the capital’s police is blocking its party convoy. “Until the whole caravan is allowed to come with me, we will protest,” he said.

    Tareen-Aleem partnership

    Top leaders of the disgruntled Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group, including PTI’s Aleem Khan, are going to London to meet Tareen.

    On Monday, Aleem Khan formally joined Jahangir Tareen’s group. Aleem said the aim is to “save” the party after “loyalists who had been integral in PTI’s 10-year struggle were sidelined without any reason.”

    In response, PM Khan claimed that Tareen would never support “thieves”.

  • Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    Board to examine Nawaz’s medical conditions, report in five days

    In line with the federal cabinet’s decision, the Punjab government on Friday has formed a medical board to examine Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s health reports submitted in Lahore High Court (LHC).

    Punjab government spokesperson Hassan Khawar confirmed that a notification has been issued in this regard, according to which the medical board comprises of Dr Mohammad Arif Nadeem, Dr Ghias-un-Nabi Tayyab, Dr Saqib Saeed, Dr Shahid Hameed, Dr Bilal S Mohi-ud-din, Dr Ambreen Hamid, Dr Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Dr Moona Aziz, and Dr Khadija Irfan.

    The board has been directed to submit its report/expert medical opinion to the specialised healthcare secretary within five days.

    Earlier this week the attorney general’s office asked the Punjab government to consider establishing a medical board or a committee that could determine the current status of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    In a two-page letter, addressed to Punjab Home Secretary Zafar Nasrullah Khan, the attorney general’s office wrote: “In order to initiate the process of verification in the light of the Nov 16, 2019, Lahore High Court order, the government of Punjab is requested to constitute a medical board/committee to examine the documents submitted as medical reports on behalf of the petitioner and Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif so that expert medical opinion regarding the physical condition of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and his ability to travel back to Pakistan is made available.”

    The letter was written in line with the federal cabinet’s instructions to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan to initiate proceedings against the Sharif family.

    The letter pointed out that Nawaz Sharif’s “apparent present physical condition was available in the media”.

    “Given the fact that he had left the country claiming to be in extreme critical condition which prima facie improved significantly after his arrival in London and the fact that he has apparently never been hospitalised and his political, social and other recreational activities have continued uninterrupted… indicate that severe ailment, if any, that may have existed in [the] past is no longer evident or [constrains] his activities,” the letter said.

    Nawaz Sharif had left for the United Kingdom (UK) in November 2019 after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week bail for his treatment.

  • Court wants forensic audit firms to analyse CJ Saqib Nisar’s alleged audio leak

    Court wants forensic audit firms to analyse CJ Saqib Nisar’s alleged audio leak

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reportedly directed the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) to submit the names of credible forensic audit firms for a forensic analysis of the alleged audio of former Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Saqib Nasir, reports Dawn.

    Justice Athar Minallah headed the hearing of a petition filed by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) Sindh High Court Bar Association. The association argued that it was not known who Nisar was allegedly talking to and whether the other person was even a judge or not and requested the court to set up an inquiry commission.

    They further argued that Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s story on Saqib Nisar’s audio clip has not been edited as per the forensic report of the audio clip. To this, the justice said that the source is not reliable.

    Justice Minallah asked who would bear the cost of this audio clip forensic audit?

    The President of SHCBA replied that the Ministry of Law can bear the cost, to which the IHC CJ inquired why the taxpayers’ money should be spent on it.

    “Suggest the name of any authoritative forensic agency to do a forensic audit of this audio clip,” Justice said.

    The court adjourned the hearing till January 28.