Tag: investigation

  • Khan pleads innocence: ‘Threats to female judge don’t fall under terrorism’

    Khan pleads innocence: ‘Threats to female judge don’t fall under terrorism’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Friday that the threats he issued to a female judge in a rally do not fall under “terrorism” and the case should be dismissed as he is “innocent”.

    “I am the chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf, I have been the prime minister of Pakistan. This government tortured [my aide] Shahbaz Gill due to political opposition. The report filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) proved that Gill had been tortured,” Khan told the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), calling for the dismissal of his case in the written reply submitted.

    Khan was asked to appear before the JIT at the Margalla Police Station on Friday but he did not show up.

    Last week, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad extended the interim bail of the PTI chairman till September 12 in the terrorism case related to his controversial remarks about the female sessions court judge Zeba Chaudhry and the capital city police.

    The court directed the ex-prime minister to submit Rs100,000 as surety against the bail.

    A case was registered against the former prime minister under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening the additional sessions judge and senior police officers of the Islamabad Police during a public rally.

  • Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Mohammed Yasin Malik, 54, founder of the organization Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front who was accused and charged with participating in alleged ‘acts of terrorism, illegally raising funds, being a member of a “terrorist organization”, terrorism financing, criminal conspiracy and sedition’, has now been sentenced to life in imprisonment.

    On 19 March, Judge Praveen Singh set May 25 as the date for hearing arguments from both sides and sentencing. She also directed Malik to provide an affidavit regarding his financial assets. JKLF reports that while in court, Malik said, “Terrorism-related charges leveled against me are concocted, fabricated and politically motivated.”

    The case is based on events from the 1990s when Malik and his associates were charged with the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989 and the killing of four Indian Air Force officers in 1990.

    Malik’s wife Mushaal Malik also appeared in a press conference in Islamabad, alongside PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb. She spoke of the severely unjust treatment that the Indian government is subjecting on her husband, absolutely restricting the family from communicating with him and taking away his right to a free and fair trial. She demanded that her husband’s case be tried in the International Court of Justice and requested the United Nations to take action and establish an inquiry into this case.

    On Monday, the Pakistani Senate passed an unanimous resolution condemning the case against Hurriyat leader and expressing solidarity with his family. The resolution was tabled by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

    Cases against Yasin Malik

    Malik, who has been kept under arrest at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April 2019, when he was already in jail for violating the Indian Public Safety Act, according to which one can be jailed for an entire year without any trial.

    Malik, along with seven others, is charged with killing four Indian Air Force officers in 1990. However, their counsel has argued that since the group announced a unilateral ceasefire in 1994, the charge is not true.

    Secondly, Malik is accused of abducting the then federal home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s daughter, Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989. Both of these cases have been presented in courts by the NIA under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act [TADA].

    Unfair trial

    Despite there being no cases or new charges against Malik and his group throughout the BJP government, the court is now rushing through to reach sentencing in the trial.

    In his open letter from prison, Malik wrote, “Though I have every legal right to be presented physically before the court, but the judge and the CBI at the behest of government are not allowing me to present myself before the trial court physically. I am being presented through video conference, where neither I am able to hear the arguments of the lawyers nor am I being allowed to speak.”

    Commenting on the speed with which the case is being tried, Malik’s lawyer Tufail Raja told Al Jazeera, “When you reopen a 30-year-old case and pursue it at a fast pace in a bid to hastily produce judgement, you can understand the intentions of this government.” He added “This is a political rather than a judicial move.” 

    The verdict

    Leading up to the announcement of the verdict, people had started coming out on the streets in Kashmir, on either side of the issue – in his support as well as those against him. The court also imposed various fines including a 5,000 INR and a 10,000 INR fine on Yasin Malik, along with two life imprisonment sentences, which will both run simultaneously.

    DG ISPR and wife Mushaal Malik have vehemently condemned this decision on Twitter and held up Kashmir’s right to self determination.

  • MNA Jam Karim, allegedly involved in Nazim Jokhio murder comes back to cast vote against PM

    MNA Jam Karim, allegedly involved in Nazim Jokhio murder comes back to cast vote against PM

    Pakistan People’s Party MNA Jam Abdul Karim, nominated for the murder of Journalist Nazim Jokhio, has reached Pakistan. His name was placed on the Provisional National Identity List (PNIL). However,  Sindh High Court granted him protective bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000.

    On November 3 last year, Nazim’s tortured body was found in PPP MPA Jam Awais’ farmhouse in Karachi’s Malir area, a day after he filmed a group of foreigners hunting the endangered houbara bustard in his Achar Salaar village in Thatta. According to Nazim Jokhio’s brother, Nazim had broadcast a live stream on social media of a hunting expedition involving foreign guests of PPP MPA Jam Awais, after which Jam Awais called Nazim to the house where he was allegedly murdered.

    Jam Karim is the elder brother of Jam Awais. In November, he was nominated as a suspect with ten others in the murder case.

    The victim’s widow, Shiren Jokhio has pardoned the accused involved in the murder of her husband. In a video statement that was released on Wednesday, she said that she had left the decision at the mercy of Almighty Allah. She added that she has taken the decision for the sake of the safety of her children.

    Many think that the video statement was forced and Nazim’s widow was made to drop the case, a case she had been pursuing for six months.

    Muhammad Jibran Nasir, lawyer and social activist took to Twitter and wrote: “Congratulations to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and to all your jiyalas and supporters your governance has successfully managed to submit a poor widow to a compromise with your MNA Jam Karim and MPA Jam Awais the murderers of her husband Nazim Jokhio after 6 months of resistance.”

    PPP leader are yet to comment on the matter. Social media users are expressing their anger over the matter:

    https://twitter.com/JiyaEss/status/1509425830237294594

  • Elderly woman sits in oncoming traffic to protest the disappearance of her daughter

    Elderly woman sits in oncoming traffic to protest the disappearance of her daughter

    An elderly woman Naseem Akhtar sat outside the Lahore Press Club as an act to protest against the disappearance of her daughter who has been missing for four days.

    In a video that is circulating on Twitter, it can be seen that Akhtar is sitting in the middle of the road and around her are the pictures of her missing daughter.

    As per reports, the missing woman is allegedly a stage dancer Hira Malik.

    Reacting to the video, Punjab Police said that the video is one year old. However, they are investigating the matter.

    Journalist Saleem Safi has also regretted the incident.

  • CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    Punjab Chief (CM) Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday formed a five-member committee to investigate the causes and lapses that led to the death of at least 22 tourists who were stranded in Murree due to heavy snowfall.

    Buzdar vowed an “impartial action” against all those found negligent in their duties. According to these terms, the committee will ascertain which government departments were responsible for the crisis situation that unfolded in Murree.

    The committee will look into what precautionary measures were taken by institutions in light of the weather advisory issued by the Met Office. It will determine whether a warning was run on media to prevent people from travelling to the tourist destination.

    Buzdar said that in seven days, a probe committee supervised by the additional chief secretary for the Punjab home department, will submit a report, and “indiscriminate action” will be taken against those found negligent in their duties.

    The chief minister also announced Rs one crore 76 lakh in financial assistance for the families of the deceased, while noting that monetary assistance is “no substitute for human life”.

    It also quoted Buzdar as saying that the entry of vehicles and tourists in Murree would be controlled from now on.

    “Vehicles and tourists exceeding the specified limit would not be allowed to enter Murree,” Buzdar was quoted as saying.

    The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against hotels involved in overcharging rent, terming it “absolutely intolerable”.

  • High-powered cell to investigate 700 Pakistanis in Pandora Papers: PM Khan

    High-powered cell to investigate 700 Pakistanis in Pandora Papers: PM Khan

    Prime Minis­ter (PM) Imran Khan on Monday formed a high-powered cell to investigate the 700 Pakistanis named in the Pandora Papers, including federal cabinet members, politicians, retired generals, owners of media houses, and others in establishing offshore companies.

    PM Khan categorically stated that the prominent leaders and federal ministers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will have to clear themselves.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, while speaking to Dawn said: “The prime minister was adamant that those who have been accused in Pandora Papers of having offshore firms will have to clear themselves.”

    The minister took to Twitter and informed about the formulation of the high-powered investigation cell. “The prime minister has set up a high-level cell under the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission to investigate the Pandora leaks, which will present the facts before the nation,” tweeted Fawad.

    Law Minister Farogh Naseem would head the investigation cell that would also comprise the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials. The cases of the cabinet members would be sent to NAB for investigation. A separate probe will be launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to investigate the media owners whose names are included in the Pandora Papers, reports Dawn.

    Those who had evaded tax or made offshore firms through ill-gotten money would be taken to task, otherwise, no action would be taken against others because establishing offshore firms was not a crime, the source tells Dawn.

    Under the law, setting up an offshore company is not an offence or crime if the company is not involved in any illegal activity. However, those who have not declared these companies in their returns as assets may face legal action.

    After the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released a detailed list of public figures with offshore companies called the ‘Pandora Papers’ as part of their new investigation, PM Khan vowed to investigate all those Pakistanis mentioned in the Pandora Papers, and tweeted: “If any wrongdoing is established we will take appropriate action.”

  • UN investigation wanted for Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani’s death

    UN investigation wanted for Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani’s death

    Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Khan Afridi wrote letters to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Michelle Jeria, calling for an impartial but immediate UN investigation into the custodial killing of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, reports Dawn.

    Talking to reporters, Afridi said, “Hurriyat leaders are being killed in custody by the illegal occupational regime of India in Jammu and Kashmir under the garb of the Covid-19 pandemic. Had the UN investigated the custodial murder of Ashraf Khan Sehrai, Geelani’s life could have been saved. Now we fear that other imprisoned Kashmiri leaders including the new All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chief Massarat Alam Bhat, Syed Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, Dr Qasim Faktu, and others may also be killed the same way.”

    “This loss may turn out to obstruct Kashmiri people’s voice and compromise their long struggle for freedom. I would also like to bring to attention here the matter in which Geelani’s death was handled by the occupational Indian government where they shut down the internet across the Kashmir valley and beefed-up security forces when word of his death spread,” he said.

    Veteran Kashmiri leader and freedom fighter Syed Ali Shah Geelani was laid to rest on September 2 amid high security at Hyderpora in Srinagar.

    Syed Ali Geelani’s son told AP that the family had planned the burial at the main Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar as per his will but were disallowed by the police.

    “They snatched his body and forcibly buried him. Nobody from the family was present for his burial. We tried to resist but they overpowered us and even scuffled with women,” said his son Naseem Geelani.

  • Girl dies after gang-rape in Gujrat

    Girl dies after gang-rape in Gujrat

    A girl in Gujrat died after three men allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped her, ARY News reported.

    Three men abducted a girl from Chak Ghazi in Gujrat district on September 1. The accused gave a tranquilliser to the girl and then raped her.

    Later, the accused fled the scene leaving the victim in a critical condition.

    The victim died soon after the incident as the culprits dumped her after her condition worsened and fled the scene, said the police.

    Saddar Police Station Gujrat filed an FIR against the prime suspect Suleman, and his two accomplices, on the complaint of the victim’s mother.

    According to the police, the prime suspect has been arrested and an investigation is underway. Police have also sent samples for forensic tests.

  • Punjab police set to visit Turkey for the investigation of Engin Altan’s complaint against Kashif Zameer

    Punjab police set to visit Turkey for the investigation of Engin Altan’s complaint against Kashif Zameer

    A team of Punjab police is set to head Turkey for further investigation of Engin Altan’s complaint against TikToker Kashif Zameer.

    The officials will record statements of the Turkish actor and collect the agreement and fraudulent cheques issued by the accused Kashif Zameer.

    The team will be led by SP Investigation Ali bin Tariq. IG Punjab has sent a letter to the government at the request of Lahore police to get the blue passport for team members and permission for investigation.

    A fraud case was registered against Kashif Zameer at Race Course police station on the complaint of the Ertugrul hero, Engin Altan.

  • Leaked audio reveals what happened in the #JusticeForNoor case

    Leaked audio reveals what happened in the #JusticeForNoor case

    In a leaked audio of Therapy Works, a counselling centre, it was revealed that Zahir Jaffer was a therapist for students.

    Despite being suspended from the programme, Zahir was an observer for level 5, which is an advanced level where students are allowed to take clients, but was not practically involved in the programme.

    Zahir was, however, allowed to take students as clients.

    As per the leaked audio, some time back, Zahir had a fight with his mother while he was in the United Kingdom (UK) and the police had to be called. He had a history of hard drinking and drug use. Despite his history, Therapy Works admitted it was wrong on their part to enroll him into the programme, level 3.

    Other social media accounts are stating that Tahir Ahmed stated that when Zahir’s brother got married earlier this year, Zahir was enraged about not being the center of attention. After which he started behaving very erratically.

    Tahir recommended that Zahir see someone for therapy but Zahir’s father, Zakir Jaffer refused.

    Senior Journalist Salman Masood writes, “Zahir detained Noor against her will for almost two days at his house in an upscale Islamabad neighbourhood. He forced her to make a phone call to her parents and lie about being in Lahore when family and friends started searching for her. Her efforts to escape remained unsuccessful.”

    A guard at the house saw Noor Mukadam trying to escape as she jumped off the balcony. When she jumped off the balcony, she landed on the Air Conditioner Unit ( Condenser). Zahir too jumped off from the balcony and grabbed her. The guard tried to help her but Zahir grabbed her by her hair and took her back into her room and locked the door. There was no other way inside the room, reports Geo News.

    Therapy Works sent their people after Zahir’s father had called for help. The people who came to the scene went up the balcony using a ladder. One of the men got into the balcony and Zahir came running with a knife to stab him. He saw what Zahir had done to Noor. The Therapy Works team grabbed Zahir and tied him up.

    Meanwhile, a neighbour had gone to the Koshar Police station to inform them about the happenings at Zahir’s residency. By the time the police reached, the team of Therapy Works had tied up Zahir.

    Noor was murdered and then beheaded. SSP Investigation Ata-ur-Rehman said, “When we arrested him, he was sound and in his senses. He may have had a past history [of taking drugs] but at least at this time he was completely in his senses.”

    The SSP also stated that while initially, the police had stated that Noor had been shot, there was now no evidence of her being shot. They did find a firearm at the residence but there was no proof that the gun was used on Noor.

    SSP Investigation Ata-ur-Rehman, said that the statements of the victim’s parents, and the suspect’s father, besides two security guards, have been recorded.

    The interior ministry has decided to put the alleged killer of Noor Mukadam on the Exit Control List (ECL) at the request of the Islamabad Police.

    Tahir Ahmed is also under investigation for Therapy Work’s alleged role in the incident.