Tag: federal capital

  • ‘Zia-ul-Haq ko Sadar Nahi Maanta’: Chief Justice of Pakistan

    ‘Zia-ul-Haq ko Sadar Nahi Maanta’: Chief Justice of Pakistan

    Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa gave an unexpected but strongly worded statement during the hearing of the Faizabad sit-in case, stating that he doesn’t recognize the late military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq as president, as per Neo News.

    During the hearing of the Faizabad sit-in case, Justice Faiz Isa, addressing Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer, said that he does not consider Zia-ul-Haq the President of Pakistan.

    When the Attorney General revealed that Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer had been asked to provide a written reply with an affidavit to withdraw the statement, the lawyer of countered the Attorney General’s statement, denying that he had been asked to retract the statement.

    Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer informed the court that his client had merely stated that his name should be removed from the verdict, to which Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa remarked that Ijaz-ul-Haq’s name was only mentioned in the report by intelligence agencies, and it was not included in the verdict.

    During the same conversation, when Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa mentioned that Ijaz-ul-Haq is the son of former army chief Zia-ul-Haq, his lawyer replied that his father was also the President of Pakistan. In response, the Chief Justice stated, “I do not consider Zia-ul-Haq the President of Pakistan. No one can become the President by the force of arms. Do not call Zia the President again in this court.”

    The lawyer of Ijaz-ul-Haq, the son of former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq, asserted that it is documented in the constitution that Zia-ul-Haq was the president. Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa responded by remarking that Zia-ul-Haq had written in the constitution that he was the president for five years.

    Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued summons for the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) following allegations of “media coercion” during the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

    The summon was initiated by a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, and including Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah.

    The hearing, part of a series of nine review petitions against the Supreme Court’s February 6, 2019 verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case, was marked by significant developments.

    Authored by Justice Isa years before he took oath as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), the searing judgement had instructed the defence ministry and the tri-services chiefs to penalise personnel under their command who were found to have violated their oath.

  • Faizabad sit-in: What is happening in court?

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued summons for the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) following allegations of “media coercion” during the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

    The summon was initiated by a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, and including Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah.

    The hearing, part of a series of nine review petitions against the Supreme Court’s February 6, 2019 verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case, was marked by significant developments.

    Authored by Justice Isa years before he took oath as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), the searing judgement had instructed the defence ministry and the tri-services chiefs to penalise personnel under their command who were found to have violated their oath.

    Notably, the court addressed the allegations made by Justice Isa in a prior judgment, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.

    Former PEMRA chairman, Absar Alam, alleged that the then-Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General Faiz Hamid, and his subordinates exerted undue influence on media policies.

    In his written reply, Alam said, PEMRA officials were under pressure from “serving officers”, adding that he himself “received calls” from the then DG(C) Major General (retd) Hamid and or his subordinates complaining that their requests were not acceded to by him.

    “The Applicant-in-Person had been asked to: i) to take action against Najam Sethi a prominent senior journalist; and ii) to completely blackout Hussain Haqqani from TV Channels, however, both illegal/unlawful demands remained unmet,” read the affidavit, seen by Geo News.

    According to the ex-Pemra chairman, Gen (retd) Hamid and or his subordinates “controlled TV Channel policy through illegal/unlawful means by changing their numbers and moving them at the tail end, when they refused to follow instructions”.

    He further said that the situation became “untenable” in April 2017, adding that he addressed the matter in writing to then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, then-chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar and then-Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Bajwa, to inform that due to grave threats by unknown persons to Pemra officials for not following instructions fear had paralysed the latter.

    Chief Justice Isa, expressing concern over the government’s handling of the matter, noted that the investigation committee formed by the government was inadequate.

    The fact-finding committee was constituted by the government, on Friday, to investigate the “role and directions” of all “concerned” officials in the management and handling of the sit-in in 2017.

    During the hearing today, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said the apex court wanted to know who was behind the Faizabad sit-in.

    “We want to know who was the mastermind of the Faizabad sit-in,” he remarked, expressing annoyance over the decision not being implemented since its issuance on February 6, 2019.

    “Our job is to order, and your job is to implement,” he stressed, underlining the need for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry.

    In response to these developments, the Supreme Court rejected the government’s fact-finding committee, urging the Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, to swiftly form a new inquiry commission to ensure the implementation of the court’s verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case.

    The Faizabad sit-in, which occurred in 2017, disrupted daily life in Islamabad for 20 days, resulting in six casualties and numerous injuries.

    The sit-in was organized by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to protest alleged modifications to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath during the passage of the Elections Act 2017, later rectified by an act of Parliament.

  • CDA to turn off 50% lights on Islamabad’s roads to save energy

    CDA to turn off 50% lights on Islamabad’s roads to save energy

    Under the federal government’s energy-saving plan, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to turn off 50 per cent of the streetlights in Islamabad.

    However, all the street lights will remain switched on in residential areas for maximum facilitation of the citizens at night, according to CDA spokesperson.

    The CDA is leading the charge to ensure that the government’s effort to save energy through austerity measures is effective. In order to preserve as much energy as possible, the CDA has asked inhabitants of the federal capital to limit their consumption of power in their houses.

  • Islamabad Police destroys over 4,000 pressure horns to reduce noise pollution in the capital

    Islamabad Police destroys over 4,000 pressure horns to reduce noise pollution in the capital

    More than 4,000 pressure horns and fancy license plates were destroyed by the Islamabad Capital Police in an attempt to reduce noise pollution and guarantee public safety.

    The destruction process at the Traffic Police Office Faizabad was observed by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanveer, Superintendent (SP) Traffic Ch Abid Hussain, and other top police officers.

    On the advice of Inspector General Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, actions are being taken to guarantee a secure driving environment and a controlled traffic structure in the capital. The traffic police are working to make the capital noise-free, according to CTO Tanveer.

    To address the smog-causing issues and expedite the conversion of the brick kilns to modern technology, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Saqib Manan has instructed the relevant authorities to take strong action against SOP violators.

    More than Rs21.1 million fine imposed on smoke-emitting vehicles

    During the previous month in the Rawalpindi area, 3,559 smoke-emitting vehicles were issued challan slips, and fines totaling more than Rs2.1 million were imposed on the violators. In addition, an industrial facility that had broken environmental laws had been sealed and fined Rs100,000.

    According to The News, drivers were urged to adopt all necessary precautions when driving in the fog by District Emergency Officer (DEO) Rawalpindi. He recommended the populace stay home during times of dense fog.

    He further advised that the drivers must keep the fog lights on and drive slowly while maintaining a safe following distance during fog.

  • Islamabad Police intensifies crackdown against vehicles with tinted windows

    Islamabad Police intensifies crackdown against vehicles with tinted windows

    Islamabad capital police stepped up their enforcement of the law against cars with tinted windows and black paper. In order to combat the vehicles, special squads have been formed.

    The Islamabad police believe that it is their moral obligation to promote road safety while upholding the law, hence they intend to implement a zero-tolerance policy.

    The Excise and Taxation Department and the Islamabad Transport Authority also fined 65 automobiles for having decorative or non-pattern licence plates, while 30 vehicles received fines for having tinted windows.

    Tinted glass and fancy license plates were on the administration’s radar, thus the action was carried out on the direction of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon.

    According to a release from ICT, the administration advised taking strict action against smoke-emitting cars and those operating without valid licenses. The Excise officers and traffic police physically checked automobiles at G-14, Srinagar Highway, and E&T Department, where 65 vehicles had their non-pattern and fancy number plates removed.

    The ICT administration declared that its campaign against tinted glasses and road safety measures was in full swing and added that commercial cars lacking fitness certificates would not be permitted on the roads at any cost since there must be no compromise on public safety.

  • Islamabad police announces traffic diversion plan ahead of PTI long march

    Islamabad police announces traffic diversion plan ahead of PTI long march

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police released an alternative traffic plan on Friday ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

    The traffic on both sides of Murree Road has been diverted at Faizabad, according to ICT police.

    Therefore, it is possible to access Rawalpindi from Islamabad through the old airport road and stadium road.

    In addition, both Express Chowk and NADRA Chowk are entirely blocked off from accessing the Red Zone. As an alternative route, Margalla Road, Ayub Chowk, and Serena Chowk can be used.

    Islamabad’s other routes are all accessible to traffic.

    Residents are urged to dial the helpline number 15 in case of any emergency.

    Every kind of public gathering in the federal capital, including those in and near the Red Zone, is now subject to Section 144. However, the permit to hold the rally is only given if the proposed routes are followed.

  • Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    There is a risk of violence during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, the federal police stated in a report submitted to Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Citing PTI leader Amin Ali Gandapur, the report says, “He has threatened that they [protesters] will gather at Islamabad with arms and persuaded its [PTI] workers to bring their weapons during the long march at Islamabad”.

    Moreover, it stated that some PTI leaders had extended death threats to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and PTI chief Imran Khan has admitted that some of his supporters were armed with pistols during the party’s May 25 march.

    The report alleged PTI workers usually participated in the march on vehicles, motorcycles and cranes and “spread terror amongst the public”.

    The police, in its report, also detailed precautionary measures taken by them ahead of the long march, including ensuring that no procession or activity by a political party was allowed into the Red Zone, the extension of Red Zone, imposition of Section 144 in the capital and a ban on displaying, carrying or bringing firearms in the Red Zone.

    Currently, the PTI is marching toward the capital and has sought approval from the authorities to stage a protest/sit-in there.

  • Intelligence reports that Imran may be attacked again, IHC says

    Intelligence reports that Imran may be attacked again, IHC says

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday said that intelligence reports have identified that there may be danger of another attack on Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Chief Justice of IHC, Aamer Farooq, passed the remarks during the hearing of two merged petitions — PTI’s plea seeking a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for a protest sit-in in Islamabad and traders’ petition for ensuring the citizens’ rights to access the roads during the prolonged political demonstrations, reports Geo News.

    During the hearing, the police presented a report before the court, stating that there is a possibility of another bid on Imran Khan’s life during the protest.

    To this, the Chief Justice remarked that it is the government’s responsibility to address the issue.

    About the protest in Islamabad, Justice Farooq said the administration should take a decision on PTI’s request in accordance with the law and ensure that roads are not blocked. He also added that the government will decide on the venue for the PTI and where they can protest in Islamabad.

    During the hearing, the chief justice also noted the blockage of roads caused by PTI, stating, “You [PTI] blocked the GT Road, the motorway, and other important highways. You should also have shown some responsibility.”

    Earlier this month, the PTI chief survived an assassination attempt in Wazirabad during his party’s long march. Khan sustained multiple bullet injuries in his legs.

  • Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Electric buses for intra-city travel will shortly be introduced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Electric buses will be used on six distinct public transportation lines, according to CDA authorities. The department will also make room for bus charging stations.

    CDA will open the tender for bus consultancy on 12th October. By the end of December, the first shipment of electric buses will arrive in Islamabad. Three e-bus base stations will be built by CDA.

    The introduction of electric buses has been a recent priority for CDA. The government started testing these buses in the Twin Cities, and now the project might soon see a concrete follow-up.

    Capt. (Ret.) Usman Younis, CDA Chairman, said that the first phase will involve the provision of transportation on six congested roads. The administration would purchase buses for seven more routes in the second phase, he added.

  • ‘Use of teargas shells, rubber bullets will be considered’: Rana Sanaullah ahead of PTI’s long march

    ‘Use of teargas shells, rubber bullets will be considered’: Rana Sanaullah ahead of PTI’s long march

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah talked about the long march call given by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    The minister said that “it is not possible to talk to a person like Imran Khan, Khan has to prepare but we are fully prepared”, reports Geo Urdu.

    On the question about controlling the participants of the possible PTI sit-in, Sanaullah said that modern methods would be adopted to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets on the protesters and the use of drones would also be considered.

    When asked what if the provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where PTI is in power refused to provide police forces when Islamabad police asked for it. Sanaullah said that the government would take action against them in line with the Constitution.

    Rana also said that the red zone was sealed as a precaution, but warned that when PTI approach Islamabad, the red zone would be sealed again.

    However, Imran Khan warned the minister said that “he should be worried” because the PTI will be marching towards Islamabad with “full preparation” this time.

    “We promise you that you will not be able to hide in Islamabad,” Khan told Sanaullah, adding that he will make a decision on Saturday about giving a call to the public to take to the streets.

    Islamabad asks for more police forces to deal with a possible PTI protest

    Islamabad’s red zone has been sealed with containers and Section 144 has been imposed ahead of a possible Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in the federal capital.

    The city administration reportedly plans to dig trenches and place hundreds of containers at the entrances of Islamabad to prevent PTI supporters from entering the city.

    Moreover, Islamabad police have asked for 30,000 personnel of police, paratroopers, and the Frontier Corps (FC) force from the provinces — 20,000 from Punjab, 4,000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and 6,000 personnel of the Rangers and the FC force.

    However, the provincial governments of Punjab and KP have not yet decided how to respond to the Islamabad request, reports Geo News.

    According to the Islamabad police, “Some people from Punjab have set out for the federal capital to get their political demands”.

    Entry to D-Chowk has been restricted and barbed wires and shipping containers are placed in the area.

    Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan warned the government to stop the “persecution” of his party workers otherwise he would again march on Islamabad.

    He had directed the party leaders to start preparations for a long march to Islamabad. He also asked party workers to wait for the Islamabad call. The final date is yet to be announced.

    In May, PTI leaders and thousands of supporters reached Islamabad where a six-day deadline was given to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies. That long march ended a day after it started.