Tag: Asad Umar

  • Arrest warrants issued for Imran Khan in two more cases

    Arrest warrants issued for Imran Khan in two more cases

    An Accountability Court in Islamabad on Monday issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in cases pertaining to the Toshakhana and 190-million-pound Al-Qadir Trust. 

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed an application to comply with the arrest warrants of Chairman PTI.

    Judge Mohammad Bashir conducted the hearing on the two cases where NABfiled an application seeking Khan’s arrest warrants.

    Judge Bashir approved the issuance of the warrants while directing the jail superintendent to take measures to ensure the warrants were complied with.

    Deputy Prosecutor General NAB Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, Prosecutor Irfan Bhola, Investigation Officers Mohsin, Waqarul Hasan, Mian Umar Nadeem, and others appeared before the court.

    The court asked the prosecutor what the High Court did in these cases.

    To which the prosecutor replied that the matter was pending, mentioning that the court neither suspended the order nor issued a standing order.

    The warrants are expected to be complied with in jail today. Imran Khan will be provided with a copy of the warrant as well as briefed about the reasons for his arrest.

    Sources said that the NAB has decided to immediately arrest Khan after the issuance of his arrest warrants, as per Aaj News.

    The anti-graft body is likely to arrest the PTI chief today from Adiala jail where a team including investigation officers of the Bureau will arrive to ensure compliance with the warrants, they added.

    The former prime minister is currently being held in Adiala jail after his arrest from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on August 5.

    He was moved to the prison on September 26 from Attock jail where he was initially kept after his arrest.

    Bushra Bibi in trouble

    Earlier today, former First Lady Bushra Bibi was summoned by NAB in a £190 million case, and as per media reports her arrest could be on the cards.

    Bushra was summoned at 2 pm to the NAB office in G-6 in Islamabad. Farhat Shahzadi, alias Farah Gogi, a former close aide of Bushra, has also been summoned in the same case today.

    Moreover, NAB also provided Bushra Bibi with an 11-point questionnaire in the Al-Qadir Trust case. 

    During her appearance in the NAB office, Bushra Bibi was questioned about Farah Gogi.

    The questionnaire given to her also included queries about her relations with Farah Gogi, the reasons for creating Al-Qadir Trust, whether she took any courses in jurisprudence or pedagogy, whether she continued to receive benefits from Al-Qadir Trust as a teacher, whether she was satisfied with Farah Gogi’s financial affairs and if Malik Riaz himself showed interest in Al-Qadir Trust or she contacted him. 

  • Jail trial of Imran Khan in Cipher case approved by caretaker cabinet

    Jail trial of Imran Khan in Cipher case approved by caretaker cabinet

    The caretaker federal cabinet has given the green light for the jail trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case, as per Geo News.

    The decision comes in response to security concerns, prompting the Ministry of Law to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the trial on August 29, following requests from the Interior Ministry and Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.

    The Ministry of Law emphasized that the jail trial for the PTI chairman was deemed necessary due to security considerations.

    This approval sets the stage for an intra-court appeal filed by Imran Khan against the trial, scheduled to be heard by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on November 14. The court has invited arguments from the attorney general.

    Imran Khan, who was ousted from the prime minister’s office in April last year through a no-confidence motion, initially contested the jail trial through a petition in the IHC.

    However, the court’s single bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, dismissed the appeal on October 16, citing no apparent malice in conducting the jail trial and advising Khan to address his concerns in the trial court.

    The cipher case, invoking the Official Secrets Act 1923, was registered against Khan and Qureshi in August of this year by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), using Section 5 of the aforementioned law.

    The case revolves around a missing diplomatic cable allegedly containing a threat from the United States to overthrow the PTI government, according to the former ruling party.

    Both Imran Khan and Qureshi face allegations under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in the cipher case, related to a missing diplomatic cable, and are currently detained in Adiala jail.

    The IHC had earlier suspended Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case on August 29.

  • Asad Umar quits PTI, politics

    Asad Umar quits PTI, politics

    Asad Umar, former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has declared that he will quit both the party and politics from now on.

    He clarified that he prefers not to adopt a confrontational approach towards state policies, as such a policy goes against the country’s interests.
    He wrote on his X account (Previously Twitter), “After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.

    As i had already stated publicly earlier that i disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collission with state institutions, which is not in the interest of the country.

    I am resigning from basic membership of PTI.

    I want to thank all those who have supported me in public life. In particular I want to thank the NA 54 team and the voters who elected me twice. I have tried my best to serve the constituency that i was elected from. May Allah’s blessings shine upon the Pakistani nation.”

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires’: Imran Khan

    ‘Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires’: Imran Khan

    The legal saga surrounding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s jail trial and the controversial cipher case took center stage in Islamabad this week.

    On Tuesday, three witnesses provided their testimonies against the PTI chief and his party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    Judge Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings at Adiala jail under the special Official Secrets Act court. PTI legal representatives included Barristers Salman Safdar, Taimur, and Gohar Ali Khan, while special prosecutors comprised of Shah Khawar, Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, and Raja Rizwan Abbasi.

    During the proceedings, PTI’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, representing Khan, raised concerns over the trial’s confined space within the jail premises, emphasizing that it wasn’t in line with legal protocols.

    Family members met the two leaders before witnesses’ statements and cross-examination were conducted; legal teams consulted with Khan and Qureshi. The PTI chief met with his wife Bushra Bibi and sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khanum, and Uzma Khan, within the jail premises.

    Qureshi’s daughter, Meharbano, was also present during the trial. She also spoke with the media outside the jail, and demanded justice and a fair trial for her father.

    “Let the family in; no one can have security concerns from their family. Fair trial is my father’s right and as a daughter, I have the right to see the trial,” she added.

    Contempt of court petition

    Adiala jail superintendent responded to the contempt of court petition filed by Khan on Wednesday, requesting the court to dismiss the contempt of court petition.

    “Can’t even think of disobeying the court order,” he stated in his reply.

    The superintendent told the court there is no permanent facility to make phone calls abroad on WhatsApp. He informed the court that the PTI chief spoke with his children on October 18, after the jail took special measures to make the call possible.

    “Arrangements are made for prisoners to speak with family and lawyers at the jail PCO,” he said, adding that the court can direct the Punjab Home Department to amend the rules with regard to making phone calls.

    The court, meanwhile, adjourned the hearing of the contempt petition till Monday due to the absence of Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.

    Islamabad High Court

    Islamabad High Court’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb asked the Attorney General of Pakistan to ensure that the cipher case trial was not conducted in an inappropriate manner, otherwise, it might collapse like a house of cards.

    An IHC bench, comprising Justice Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, heard the intra-court appeal filed by Khan against his jail trial and the appointment of the special court’s judge in the cipher case.

    The court adjourned the proceedings to November 14, allowing time for the attorney general to present arguments.

    Nawaz wants his own umpires

    Talking to media persons outside Adiala Jail, Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Umair Niazi said the PTI chief had criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and also rejected the trial of civilians in military courts.

    The PTI lawyer quoted Mr Khan as saying that Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires and is again looking towards them. All political parties, except the PML-N, are calling for a level playing field, he added.

    Khan expressed concern over the fresh wave of terrorism in the country and said this was because of a “weak” Afghan policy as Mr Bhutto-Zardari, being the foreign minister, did not visit Kabul to address the issue of terrorism.

  • ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced a setback on Tuesday as PTI Chairman Imran Khan couldn’t make it to a hearing due to security concerns. The Interior Ministry and Islamabad police were worried about the risks involved in bringing him to the commission, as he’s currently in jail for cipher case.

    Although the commission had earlier ordered that Imran Khan’s appear in person, the police and the ministry raised serious concerns about the safety of such a move.

    The commission was hearing a defamation case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry. A four-member commission headed by Nisar Durrani adjourned the hearing till November 13.

    Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar appeared before the commission, while Imran Khan was not brought to the election commission from Adiala Jail.

    PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said the real insult to the election commission has taken place today.

    The operations assistant inspector general of police (AIG) submitted a report regarding Imran Khan, stating that Rawalpindi was a densely populated area, which is not without dangers.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan has himself said there are threats to his life, the report stated.

    ECP’s member from Sindh, Nisar Durrani, asked the AIG if he believed whatever Imran Khan said was true.

    The Interior Ministry suggested that the election commission go to Adiala Jail to conduct the hearing to which the commission questioned how the ministry ordered them, ordering the interior secretary to appear before the commission.

    The commission asked the ministry to get it in writing from Imran Khan that he was sorry.

    “If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections?” the commission questioned.

    ECP’s production order stated, “Since the respondent is in Adiala Jail […] and his personal appearance is mandatory to proceed further with the matter. In such view of the matter, there is no alternate except to issue production order of respondent namely Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.”

  • ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    The Supreme Court (SC) has on Wednesday evening issued a verdict in favour of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, dismissing petitions challenging its validity.

    The decision was upheld by 10-5 majority. However, by an 8-7 decision, the majority of judges decided against the provision of law wherein retrospective right of appeal was given in the Act.

    Key Provisions of Act

    The act makes a number of significant changes to the way the Supreme Court operates. These include:

    • Requiring a three-member committee of senior judges, including the CJP, to approve all suo moto notices.
    • Establishing a transparent process for the formation of benches for hearing crucial constitutional issues.
    • Giving parties the right to appeal to the Supreme Court within 30 days of a final order from a lower court.
    • Requiring the apex court to hear applications alleging urgency or requesting interim relief within 14 days of filing.

    Reaction to the decision

    Former Prime Minister and President of _ (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the decision.

    “The Supreme Court’s verdict regarding the Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is a welcome step,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

    Interestingly, when Asad Umar, PTI’s former secretary general, was asked about the judgment, he stated that it was the right decision but was intrigued to know if Nawaz Sharif would come back after the decision or not.

    “My question is, everyone is saying this is not a good judgment for Nawaz Sharif, why is Shehbaz Sharif liking this decision so much? I’m just asking an innocent question,” he said while talking to the media on Thursday morning.

    The verdict has caused a rift in the legal world. The decision, which involves Article 184(3), has led to intense discussions about what it means for the PML-N leader, Nawaz Sharif.

    As per Dawn, lawyer Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry explained that in cases where no review has been filed, it’s possible to request a “condonation of delay,” which means the court might accept an appeal or application even if it’s late.

    Mohammad Akram Sheikh noted that according to the law, a review must be requested within 30 days of the judgment. He mentioned that in some cases, the highest court has allowed for delays but stressed that the applicant would need to provide a valid reason for the delay.

    Senior lawyer Raja Inam Ameen Minhas mentioned that the Supreme Court Bar Association has an ongoing review petition against the disqualification of politicians. He argued that since the matter of disqualification is still under consideration, it’s “still appealable.”

    Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the former special assistant on law to the ex-PM, pointed out that the Supreme Court’s decision wouldn’t affect Mr. Sharif’s cases because he wasn’t seeking relief from the highest court. Instead, he intends to pursue his appeals against convictions, which would eventually reach the Supreme Court.

    Some lawyers believe that the decision is a setback for Nawaz Sharif, who recently planned to return to Lahore after spending four years in London.

    The decision declared Section 5(2) of an act as ultra vires, meaning that the lifetime disqualification in the Panama case remains in effect.

    Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jafferi questioned who really won in this matter.

    Lawyer Usama Khawar Ghumman argues that Nawaz Sharif and Jehangir Tareen can still contest elections.

    “Despite Supreme Court’s decision to strike down retrospective rights of appeal, Nawaz Sharif & Jehangir Tareen can, in the short run, contest elections due to the PDM-led Parliament’s amendment to Section 232 of the Election Act, 2017,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

  • PTI’s Usman Dar says Imran Khan responsible for May 9 riots

    PTI’s Usman Dar says Imran Khan responsible for May 9 riots

    Kamran Shahid, the anchor of On the Front on Dunya News, filmed a highly anticipated interview at his ancestral ‘Haveli’, airing it on Wednesday night.

    Usman Dar, one of the stalwarts of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the former head of PTI’s Tiger Force, an organization comprising young volunteers, appeared on the show to talk about who was the mastermind behind the May 9 riots. On the said day, after PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court, protests broke out throughout the country, leading to armed clashes between them and law enforcement agencies. Jinnah House in Lahore, GHQ building in Rawalpindi, airbases and other state installations, along with monuments honouring martyred military men, Askari Tower, Military Library, residences of the armed forces officers, army selection center, petrol pumps, were attacked or set ablaze.

    Dar reappeared in public after 147 days to announce on the show that not only was he leaving PTI but also bidding farewell to politics forever. Dar started off by mentioning that he had been missing his passionate arguments with Kamran Shahid on his programs, moving on to say he joined PTI because he genuinely believed that Imran Khan was a leader who could provide a platform for “clean politics.”

    Dar termed the aftermath of May 9 for PTI workers an “earthquake”, stating that the day did not unfold incidentally but happened after a significant build-up. After the PTI government was removed, there were two types of mindsets in the party, Dar revealed. Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, and Hammad Azhar were the ones who believed in the politics of collision while Asad Umar, Omar Ayub, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shafqat Mahmood, and Dar himself believed in the politics of reconciliation.

    “Those who believed in the collision were convinced that this confrontation would generate results. Unfortunately, Imran Khan supported that group more. He is anyways more of a leading from the front type, and he likes front liners,” said Dar, unveiling what went on in Zaman Park, where Imran Khan was bunkered down.

    He further stated that the beliefs of the collision group prevailed more within the party and Imran Khan supported this policy. He also explained how workers from Punjab and KPK were called on and off to Lahore to provide Imran Khan with a ‘human shield’ to avoid arrest. Duties, timing, and days were divided among leaders and workers to stop something as “unique” as Imran Khan’s arrest.

    Dar stated that workers had a feeling that they had to save Imran Khan at all costs. Imran Khan was supporting the anti-state narrative that was being developed among workers. “Imran Khan started with General Bajwa and then on to [Chief of Army Staff] Asim Munir. I believe any Army Chief would leave, like today General Asim Munir is there instead of General Bajwa but the institution remains there,” he said.

    He also explained that the long march organised by PTI in November 2022 was to oppose General Asim Munir’s appointment. “I think Imran Khan had some information from within the institution that probably the long march would hinder the appointment of General Asim Munir,” Dar said, confirming what many political pundits had suspected since long.

    Dar also said that he’ll appear in court to state all this under oath if he has to.

    After May 9, the lives of PTI workers have changed entirely and their families are suffering, the Sialkot based Dar observed. Finally, he said he is disappointed in Imran Khan.

  • Asad Umar gets pre-arrest bail in cipher case; Qureshi, Imran bail pleas rejected

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar got pre-arrest bail in US cipher case from a special court on Thurday. On the other hand, PTI’s Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s bail pleas got rejected in the same case while their judicial remand has been extended till September 26.

    Special prosecutor Shah Khawar told the judge Abul Hasnat that Umar’s arrest is not necessary at this stage.

    “Asad Umar’s arrest is not required in the case as yet and no evidence against him has been gathered as of now,” Shah Khawar told the judge, adding that if investigators found evidence against the former finance minister, he would be informed.

    “If Asad Umar’s arrest is required, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will proceed according to law,” the judge ordered.

    Judge Hasnat also instructed FIA to inform Asad Umar before arresting him.

  • Was Asad Umer under arrest in the Cipher case?

    Was Asad Umer under arrest in the Cipher case?

    Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal planning minister Asad Umar has dismissed claims of his arrest by the FIA in the Cipher case. Meanwhile, he was able to secure pre-arrest bail.

    While exclusively talking to Geo News reporter Arfa Feroz, Umar said that the reports regarding his arrest are false, as he has appeared before FIA twice to record his statement and answer their questions during the investigation. He was confident that his name will be cleared.

    Umar asserted that this is a politically motivated case with intentions to harass and blackmail him. He assured the court about his availability and readiness to depose before the inquiry agency and cooperate with investigators.

    The Official Secrets Act Court has granted him bail until August 29 against a Rs100,000 surety.

  • ‘Left the party in difficult times’; PTI strikes back at Asad Umar

    ‘Left the party in difficult times’; PTI strikes back at Asad Umar

    Asad Umar, former secretary-general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has stirred a hornet’s nest by stating in an interview with ARY’s Kashif Abbasi that he does not agree with party Chairman Imran Khan’s strategies. Umar also criticised the former Prime Minister for not negotiating with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
    “I had told Khan, things are not going in the right direction,” he remarked.

    “I told Chairman PTI to not close the doors for talk with other stakeholders but he didn’t listen and it is the fundamental reason for me resigning from my party position,” the former Finance Minister told Abbasi.

    During the interview Kashif asked Umar if he had gotten any deal offers, to which Asad said that he is getting invitations from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan party.

    PTI took exception to Asad Umar’s statement, condemning what he said. The party spokesperson asked Asad Umar that if he had issues with the party’s strategy then why didn’t he leave his position at that time.

    “Ambiguity and confusion are evident in Asad Umar’s thoughts; Asad Umar’s claims that he stepped down from the duties of secretary general due to disagreements over the chairman’s strategy appear to contradict reality,” the statement read.

    It is further mentioned in the party’s statement that Asad Umar left the party alone in difficult times.

    The statement further added that Asad Umar is well aware of the efforts made by PTI to talk to other political parties about national interest.