Tag: IHC

  • ‘I was tortured mentally, physically in jail,’ Shah Mehmood claims

    ‘I was tortured mentally, physically in jail,’ Shah Mehmood claims

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed to have endured mental and physical torture during his incarceration.

    The former Foreign Minister appeared before Duty Magistrate Syed Jahangir Ali in the GHQ attack case, asserting that he was subjected to harsh conditions, both mentally and physically, and exposed to severe cold weather while in jail.

    During the court session, he insisted on recording his statement in the presence of his counsel, expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s attempt to obtain his statement without legal representation as per Geo News.

    The former foreign minister said he was being treated in jail for the past several months in the same manner. “Is this justice? I am tortured,” he asked.

    Qureshi said he will swear on the Holy Quran that he was not present in Rawalpindi on May 9 and instead, he was in Karachi that day.

    “I was with my wife in the Aga Khan Hospital. Get the record from PEMRA, I was present in Karachi,” said Qureshi.

    Qureshi, who had previously been granted bail by three Supreme Court judges, questioned the justice system, highlighting the fluctuating circumstances of his arrest and release.

    He said that he was arrested under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 3.

    “One night I am arrested and in the morning I am told that I am being released. When I asked what made it happen, they replied there is a loophole in the case,” he said.

    Qureshi said he was ordered to be arrested on December 26 then the date was changed to 27. He was within the jail’s premises when Punjab police arrived to arrest him, he said.

    “I have been a member of the assembly for five times. SHO Ashfaq tortured me. He kicked and punched me,” he said. He said he felt pain in his chest for which he was begged the superintendent police for hours to take him to hospital.

    “A doctor was called who was carrying just a blood pressure checking machine,” he added.

    Earlier, the Rawalpindi Police reportedly barred journalists from entering the judicial complex, citing a ban on media coverage of the GHQ attack case against Qureshi.

    His legal counsel expressed concern over the restriction, questioning the nature of an in-camera trial with limited media access.

    Qureshi’s daughter, Meher Bano Qureshi, filed a petition with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against what she termed the “unlawful abduction” of her father, as per Geo News.

    Meherbano stated in the petition that Qureshi had been granted bail by the Supreme Court, and referred to the remark of Justice Athar Minallah, who stated: “The incarceration of the petitioners will not serve any useful purpose.

    Moreover, their release on bail during the period of elections would ensure ‘genuine elections and thus enable the people to exercise the right to express their will effectively and meaningfully.”

    The PTI vice chairman’s recent arrest, just after securing bail in a cipher case, raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his detention.

    President Arif Alvi also weighed in, calling on authorities to address the alleged mistreatment of Qureshi and uphold human rights and dignity.

    “We must not become a state where human rights and dignity are violated without fear. Authorities must pay attention to the confiscation of documents, the brutal action against the protesters, and now the indecent treatment of the former foreign minister by two governments,” Alvi wrote on X (former Twitter).

    The arrest is linked to cases related to the May 9 riots following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Qureshi is implicated in a GHQ attack case and is expected to appear in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) for further proceedings.

  • Election 2024: Imran Khan excluded from Registered Political Parties List

    Election 2024: Imran Khan excluded from Registered Political Parties List

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unveiled a revised list on Sunday, featuring 175 officially registered political parties that reflect the diverse landscape of the country’s political arena.

    The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, is no longer listed as the leader of the party in the updated list, indicating that PTI is now considered a political entity without a designated leader.

    However, the list now includes the group headed by Pervez Khattak, identified as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP).

    An important development took place earlier in the week when the party led by Khan lost its electoral symbol, the “bat”, as a result of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) releasing the reserved verdict on the party’s internal elections.

    After hearing arguments from all concerned parties, the ECP initially reserved its decision.

    Following this, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, leading a five-member bench of the electoral authority, announced the invalidation of the PTI’s intra-party elections.

    After ECP’s verdict, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who took over as PTI chairman after Imran Khan, will no longer serve as the party’s leader.

  • ‘I will not contest the election, even if Imran Khan asks,’ Aleema Khan

    ‘I will not contest the election, even if Imran Khan asks,’ Aleema Khan

    Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has stated that none of his family members will contest the upcoming general elections slated for February 8 next year.

    During a chat with journalists outside the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, she remarked: “I will not contest the election, even if Imran Khan asks (me), I will not participate in the election.”

    Aleema clarified that neither Khan’s sisters nor his wife will contest. “None of us is contesting elections. We only come for the cases of the PTI founder”.

    She emphasized that treating the PTI founder in the same manner as former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was unwarranted, highlighting the absence of a young generation during Bhutto’s time.

    She alleged that Nawaz Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had got two umpires, asserting that he was preventing other political players from entering the political arena, stressing that evidence supporting this claim became apparent during the nomination paper submission process, where individuals are allegedly being deprived of their papers.

    She dismissed the cipher case as a mere joke, expressing concern over the rapid pace of the trial and raising the possibility of a death sentence being pronounced by December 30.

    “Our hope for justice is from Allah and justice should also be expected from the Supreme Court, but what is happening is in front of everyone. We are no longer disappointed with the Supreme Court. If you don’t expect anything from the Supreme Court, who will you expect from? If we do not get justice from there, we will definitely get it from Allah,” she remarked.

  • ‘Baloch protestors can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs’: IHC Chief Justice

    ‘Baloch protestors can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs’: IHC Chief Justice

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised concerns on Friday about the forced repatriation of Baloch protesters, who had experienced harsh police action the day before, back to their province.

    Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard a petition filed by Baloch protesters against unlawful detention, questioning why they were being “forcefully” sent back to Balochistan.

    “They can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs,” remarked Justice Aamer Farooq

    The police used brutal force on Wednesday night to disperse and detain Baloch demonstrators in Islamabad, who were protesting against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in their province.

    Over 200 protesters were taken into custody after encountering tear gas, water cannons, and police batons.

    The government later claimed that more than 90 per cent of the Baloch men and women in custody had been released, except for men “who could not be identified” by the police.

    However, during the IHC hearing on a petition seeking the release of detained Baloch protesters, it was revealed that over 50 Baloch women protesters had gone missing after police took action.

    The court instructed representatives of the protesters and their counsel to approach the Islamabad SSP (Investigation) to record their version and sought a report from the police.

    Petitioners’ counsel Attaullah Kundi and Imaan Mazari appeared before the court, explaining that the police had informed them that buses were waiting to take protesters back home.

    Kundi stated that the police chief had mentioned orders from the prime minister for the repatriation of protesters, and Baloch women were forcefully filled into buses. He further revealed that some Baloch students studying in Islamabad were also coerced into the buses.

    The court expressed displeasure and summoned IG Akbar Nasir in response. The police chief claimed to have arranged transport for the protesters, to which the court questioned why they were sent back forcefully. Chief Justice Farooq emphasized that the protesters had the choice to stay in Islamabad, protest, or go home.

    When asked how many protesters were in police custody, the IG replied that 216 Baloch men and women were at the Kohsar police station of which some had been sent on judicial remand. Out of these, 19 women were released, he added.

    Protesters at the Tarnol police station were released by the local magistrate while 162 detainees were sent on judicial remand, said IG Nasir.

    The court also asked about the number of women who were sent home, those released, and the ones staying at the hostel. It also directed the police chief to arrange a meeting of the women with their counsels.

    “You have to convince them that not one person is missing,” Justice Farooq emphasised.

    Journalist Hamid Mir and Ahmed Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also provided insights during the hearing. Mir highlighted discrepancies in government statements, and Butt emphasized the constitutional right to protest in a democracy.

    The court directed the police chief to arrange a meeting between the detained women and their counsels and ensure transparency in the process.

    The IHC CJ further expressed displeasure over Wednesday night’s events, regretting the police action on protesters. “What kind of a society are we living in? Even if a common person is being unjust, public officeholders should always be careful,” he remarked.

    The court then instructed Kundi to oversee the entire matter and contact the IHC registrar’s office if there was a problem. It further said that all the women staying at the I-10 hostel be released.

    “I will issue a detailed order of today’s proceedings,” Justice Farooq said, adding that the next hearing would be conducted by Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb.

  • ‘Election will be held on February 8’, says General Asim Munir  

    ‘Election will be held on February 8’, says General Asim Munir  

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, said last week while talking to the Pakistani-American business community in the United States that elections in Pakistan “will be held on February 8 next year.”

    The army chief gave the statement a few hours before the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict suspending the Lahore High Court (LHC) staying the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) from bureaucracy. conduct a general election on February 8, 2024.

    A Pakistani-American businessman posted a quote from General Asim Munir. Speaking with Geo News, Tanveer Ahmed, a Texas-based Pakistani businessman, quoted the army chief as saying, “As far as I know, general elections will be held on the 8th of February.”

    The businessman also shared the army chief’s words: “If elections get delayed, it won’t be beyond the limit when Senate elections are to be held.”

    The next senate elections will be held in March 2024.

    The notification to requisition returning officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy, important for the electoral process, was temporarily halted by the LHC on December 13, raising concerns about the timely conduct of elections.

  • Aakhir kaun kar raha hai audio recordings?

    Aakhir kaun kar raha hai audio recordings?

    During a court hearing, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) reported its inability to trace the source of audio leaks.

    The court was addressing pleas filed by Saqib Nisar’s son and Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, concerning leaked audio conversations.

    Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) questioned why the ISI filed its report through the Ministry of Defence, prompting Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to suggest that the intelligence agency should have submitted the report through the Prime Minister’s Office.

    The ISI report indicated that the investigation required assistance from social media platforms.

    “Any government agency conducting such recordings is doing so unlawfully,” AGP Mansoor Usman Awan said as he submitted a report on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

    Awan emphasized that no intelligence agency, including the ISI, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Intelligence Bureau (IB), was authorized by the federal government to tap audio conversations.

    Presiding over the single-member bench, Justice Babar Sattar remarked that it was now the federal government’s responsibility to decide how they want to proceed with the case. “If the government does not disclose [who is tapping the calls], then we may seek assistance from national and international judicial bodies.”

    The FIA needs to review the case first to determine who conducted the call recording. “After court orders, the FIA is sending notices to telecommunication companies,” AGP Awan told the court.

    “The FIA needs access to IP addresses. If any government agency is conducting these recordings, it is doing so unlawfully,” he reiterated.

    The court was informed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) lawyer that TV channels were prohibited from broadcasting private audio leaks.

    Addressing senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan during the hearing, Justice Sattar said: “There is a balance between freedom of information and privacy. How should this case be moved forward?”

    Aitzaz suggested that self-regulation should be in place, as the Constitution is not being followed here. “The Constitution has not been implemented in 90 days, despite the election announcement.”

    The court instructed the AGP to check if there was any news that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was given the authority to record priviate conversations. To which he said he would check and report back.

    The court directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) , FIA, and other parties to re-file their responses for the next hearing.

    The court directed the Attorney General to investigate whether the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had the authority to record calls, and the AGP committed to providing the court with the necessary information.

    Additionally, the IHC instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit a detailed report at the next hearing.

    If the government failed to provide the required information, the court expressed its intention to appoint national and international amici curiae for the investigation.

    It was also decided that senior journalists would be appointed as amici curiae to provide insights into the matter related to the code of conduct for TV channels.

  • NAWAZ IS FREE in Al Azizia Steel Mills Case

    NAWAZ IS FREE in Al Azizia Steel Mills Case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday acquitted former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia reference, the biggest hurdle in the way of him contesting in the general elections.
    The only obstacle now for the former prime minister to contest an election is his lifetime disqualification as a parliamentarian.

    “It is unfortunate that if a former prime minister is facing such sham cases, then [we can’t imagine] what is happening to a common man,” senior lawyer Irfan Qadir told Geo News, calling upon the judges who convicted Nawaz to apologise to the nation.

    He also stated that, in response to the contentious Panama verdict, the Supreme Court had directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to initiate legal proceedings against Nawaz by filing references.

  • Mongolia’s IHC won PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2023

    Mongolia’s IHC won PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2023

    IHC E-sports (formerly known as ZEUS E-Sports or Z3US E-Sports) from Mongolia won Player Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2023 held in Malaysia.

    IHC played extraordinary in the three-day final by collecting 142 points in total including 110 kill points and 32 placement points. IHC E-sports was awarded with $300,000.

    Zyol from IHC E-sports awarded with MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament, as he collect 37 eliminations with total 7,616 damage.

    This PMGC was a LAN (Local Area Network) event with a prize poll of three million USD and was organized by PUBG mobile officials.

    On the start of Day Three of the final, IHC was on third spot with 96 points while A7 E-sports from Brazil was on first spot with 115 points. But they played consistently, collecting one WWCD (Winner Winner Chicken Dinner) on day three, by collecting 46 points in the six matches.

    Stalwert E-sports from Mongolia took second spot, they were only 4 points away from first spot with 138 points. A7 E-sports from Brazil took third spot with 131 points. 4MV (4Mercial Vibes), another Mongolian team, played their first PMGC and took fourth spot with 127 points.

    Two teams (Agonxi8 and 7E) from Pakistan also participated in the event but unfortunately, they were eliminated in the group stage.

    Agonxi8, a very dominating team from Pakistan, faced many difficulties including visa problems during this event. Only three out of five players could get visas while the remaining two played from Pakistan.

  • IHC orders DG ISI to submit a report on Bushra-Khosa audio leak

    IHC orders DG ISI to submit a report on Bushra-Khosa audio leak

    The Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum has been ordered by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to submit a report on who is responsible for an alleged audio leak between the former first lady Bushra Bibi and her lawyer, Latif Khosa, Geo has reported.  

    The court also asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to do  forensics of the leaked audio between Bushra Bibi and Latif Khosa to know about the origin of its release.  

    Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC said during a hearing of a plea filed by Latif Khosa that a copy of the petition be sent to DG ISI, seeking a report on who is behind the audio leak.

    The court also issued notices to FIA, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), seeking their response on the matter.

    The hearing was then adjourned till December 11.

    Later, while leaving the courtroom, Justice Sattar said, “Big Boss is listening to everything, you must know this.”

    He then went on to ask who was recording the audio, in reply to which Khosa said, “Everyone knows who records.”

  • Reference case against Justice Mazahar: Application filed to separate Justice Ijaz from Judicial Council

    An application asking to separate Justice Ejazul Ahsan from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on the issue of a complaint against Supreme Court (SC) Justice Mazahir Naqvi in the SJC has been filed.

    Mian Dawood Advocate filed a constitutional petition in the SC in which the Federal Government and the Secretary SJC have been made parties, while the order sheet of the case of former CCPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar is also attached to the petition.

    It has been argued in the petition that Justice Ijaz should be removed from the council hearing the complaint against Justice Mazahar, and another senior judge should be made a part of the SJC in his place.

    It has been said in the petition that the reference to corruption and misconduct against Justice Naqvi is under hearing in the Judicial Council. On the complaint of the petitioner, the Judicial Council has issued a second show cause notice to Justice Mazahar. In relation to the Ghulam Mahmood Dogar case, Justice Ijaz was part of the bench that heard the case; therefore, legally and in principle, no judge who heard the case of Ghulam Mahmood Dogar can be a member of the Judicial Council.

    It has been further stated in the petition that Justice Ejazul Ahsan being a member of the SJC is against Articles 10A and 9 of the Constitution. Justice Ejaz will not be able to meet the demands of justice in the council.