Tag: Islamabad High Court

  • Notices issued to Bajwa and Faiz over ‘controversial’ interviews

    Notices issued to Bajwa and Faiz over ‘controversial’ interviews

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to former Army Chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI Chief Lieutenant General (retired) Faiz Hameed over allegations of violating rules by giving interviews after their retirement, where they are accused of misrepresenting events.

    The notices were issued in response to a complaint filed by a private citizen named Atif Ali.

    The petition says that journalists Shahid Maitla and Javed Chaudhry conducted interviews with Bajwa and Faiz for the sake of viewership which had a “negative impact” on society. The petitioner said that he had been taken aback when he saw the articles as they could “pollute” society. It added that the garb of freedom of expression was used for a “criminal act”.

    The petition further alleges that events were misrepresented in the interviews and that the “criminal act” was conducted through connivance between the journalists and the generals.

    The petition says that the interviews portrayed a negative image of the institution and tried to create a rift between it and the people of Pakistan. Copies of the articles have also been attached to the petition.

    In addition to Gen. Bajwa and Lt. Gen. Hameed, notices have also been issued to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Press Association of Pakistan. Two journalists, Shahid Maitla and Javed Chaudhry, who conducted the interviews in question, have also been summoned by the court.

    Islamabad High Court’s Chief Justice, Aamer Farooq, in a written order issued on Monday, expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for not responding to the petitioner’s repeated requests to file a complaint.

  • What does Bushra Bibi want to give Imran Khan in jail?

    What does Bushra Bibi want to give Imran Khan in jail?

    Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking protection for her husband and expressing concerns about his safety in jail. She has requested permission for homemade food for Imran Khan, while his legal team has claimed that his life is in danger.

    The IHC has issued notices to respondents in Bushra Bibi’s case and is considering her request to provide homecooked food to Imran Khan. The court has adjourned the hearing until next week.

    Imran Khan, the Chairman of PTI, has taken his case to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in an effort to suspend a trial court’s verdict in the Toshakhana case. This move comes after the IHC previously suspended his three-year sentence in the same case about a month ago.

    In August, a trial court in Islamabad found Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” related to concealing details of state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. While Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar had ordered the capital police chief to arrest Imran, he was instead arrested by the Punjab police, who took him to the Attock district jail. The Supreme Court later acknowledged “procedural defects” in Imran’s conviction by the trial court, suspending his sentence.

    Following the suspension of his Toshakhana case sentence, Imran Khan was detained in the cipher case and has been in judicial remand, which was extended until October 10. Recently, he was moved to Adiala jail from Attock jail under the IHC’s directives.

    Imran Khan, represented by senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa, has filed a petition with the IHC seeking the rectification of the order that suspended the Toshakhana case verdict. The petition requests the suspension of the order until the final appeal decision and also seeks permission to make the state a respondent in the appeal.

    The petition argues that the IHC has the authority to suspend the impugned order and sentence under the relevant sections of the Criminal Procedure Code. It highlights an omission in recording the counsel’s request for suspension of the trial court verdict, which has affected Imran Khan’s rights, including his disqualification from elections by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    The petition further alleges mala fide intentions on the part of the ECP in disqualifying Imran Khan and mentions attempts to remove him from the leadership of PTI and prevent him from participating in general elections.

    In a related development, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) handling the cipher case against Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is expected to indict both leaders on October 9. The case involves the disclosure of classified diplomatic information.

    During the trial behind bars, the prosecution requested in-camera proceedings, but the judge ruled that the trial would commence after framing charges against the suspects and that proceedings were already being conducted inside Adiala Jail. The IHC rejected the FIA’s request for an in-camera hearing of their post-arrest bail petitions in the cipher case.

  • IHC summons Toshakhana case records for PTI Chairman’s Trial

    IHC summons Toshakhana case records for PTI Chairman’s Trial

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken steps to obtain the records of the Toshakhana case involving the imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Imran Khan, who is currently serving time in Attock Jail.

    The division bench of the IHC, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, issued the directive in response to Imran’s appeal against his conviction in the Toshakhana case.

    In an official statement released today, the IHC has issued an order to the district election commissioner of Islamabad which states, “Notice to the respondent. Office is directed to requisition the record of the learned Trial Court.”

    On August 5, a District and Sessions Court gave a three-year prison sentence to the PTI chairman as part of the Toshakhana criminal case.

    The court also imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 on Imran Khan. Additionally, the former prime minister was prohibited from holding any public office for a duration of five years.

    The court’s verdict emphasized that the former prime minister had knowingly provided false information regarding Toshakhana gifts to the ECP and was found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices.

    Subsequently, he was arrested from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, and transferred to Attock Jail.

  • Pakistan Stock Exchange surpasses 46,000 mark for the first time in 15 months

    Pakistan Stock Exchange surpasses 46,000 mark for the first time in 15 months

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index experienced significant gains on Friday, rising by over 500 points and closing just below the 46,000 mark.

    The index reached 46,073.61 points at 3:47 pm, showing a notable increase of 675.30 points from the previous day’s closing of 45,398.31. However, by the end of the day, it closed at 45,920.73, up by 522.42 points or 1.15 per cent.

    According to Dawn, Ahsan Mehanti, the Director of Arif Habib Corporation, mentioned that foreign capital was actively buying shares in the energy sector. He attributed the stock market rally to favorable financial results, the Islamabad High Court’s ruling declaring the imposition of a super tax on various companies unlawful, and reports indicating the policy rate would remain unchanged.

    As a result of these factors, the index reached the 46,000 mark after a gap of 15 months, signaling an overall improvement in all sectors. Mehanti also pointed out the positive impact of the recently announced standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Looking ahead, if the market continues to close above 46,000, it is expected to see further growth. Amir Shehzad, Director of First National Equities Limited, referred to the recent market fluctuations as a “technical correction” and expressed optimism that the market could surpass the 47,000 point barrier in the coming week. He believed that maintaining an unchanged monetary policy by the central bank would likely have a positive effect on the market, possibly leading to new record levels.

  • Islamabad High Court deems super-tax on high-income businesses unconstitutional

    Islamabad High Court deems super-tax on high-income businesses unconstitutional

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has invalidated the imposition of a super-tax on high-income businesses, ruling it as unconstitutional. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan delivered the verdict on Thursday after a reserved decision. The court declared all notices of demand and recovery associated with the controversial tax null and void, providing relief to the affected businesses.

    Furthermore, the court struck down Section 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance, effectively negating the legal basis for the super-tax. The petitioners, who challenged the validity of this tax, were represented by prominent legal counsel, including Salman Akram Raja and Adnan Haider Randhawa, among others. They argued that the imposition of such a tax was unjust and detrimental to the growth of high-income businesses.

    The origin of this tax can be traced back to the budget speech of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, wherein he announced the implementation of the super tax last month. Initially, the tax was proposed to be levied on individuals earning Rs500 million annually or more, but the conditions were later relaxed from the original proposal, which targeted those earning Rs300 million per annum.

    It is worth noting that the Supreme Court had previously approved the imposition of the super-tax, setting it at 4 per cent for all industries in February. The government had initially imposed a 10 per cent rate for some industries and 4 per cent for others.

    While the Lahore High Court also approved the tax, it added a caveat that the rules did not allow a tax rate higher than 4 per cent. However, the recent ruling by the Islamabad High Court has effectively struck down the super-tax altogether, providing significant relief to high-income businesses affected by the proposed tax.

  • Intraday update: Pakistani rupee plunges to historic low of Rs290 against dollar amid political turmoil

    Intraday update: Pakistani rupee plunges to historic low of Rs290 against dollar amid political turmoil

    On Wednesday, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) reached a historic low against the US dollar, falling to Rs290 during intraday trading at the interbank foreign exchange market. This decline is a major setback to Pakistan’s economy, as the rupee lost Rs5.16 in a single day compared to the previous day’s closing rate of Rs284.84.

    The previous record low of Rs288.43 was set in April. The sharp decline in the Pakistani rupee raises concerns about the country’s financial stability, and several factors have contributed to this depreciation.

    The arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges has led to increased uncertainty and added pressure on the Pakistani rupee. This political turmoil has negatively impacted investor confidence and the value of the local currency.

    Furthermore, the uncertain status of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme has further exacerbated the decline of the Pakistani rupee. Although the government had anticipated an installment of $1.2 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, delays in loan disbursement and recent developments in negotiations have raised concerns about Pakistan’s ability to meet its financial obligations. These doubts have put additional strain on the rupee’s value.

    Currency experts are closely monitoring these developments and expressing caution about the future outlook of the Pakistani rupee. The government must take decisive measures to stabilize the currency and restore investor confidence. This may involve implementing effective economic policies, addressing corruption concerns, and ensuring a more transparent and predictable investment environment.

    It is crucial for the Pakistani government to engage in constructive dialogue with the IMF to secure the much-needed loan program. Demonstrating a commitment to fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and good governance can potentially alleviate concerns surrounding the economy and enhance the rupee’s value in the international market.

    While the situation appears challenging, it is important to note that currency fluctuations are not unique to Pakistan. Several emerging economies have faced similar issues in recent years. The government’s response and its ability to address the underlying causes of the rupee’s depreciation will be critical.

  • Islamabad High Court provides relief to Khan, extends bail

    Islamabad High Court provides relief to Khan, extends bail

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday approved an extension in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s bail in nine different cases.

    The former Prime Minister appeared before the court after travelling from Lahore to Islamabad amid tight security as a warning from the court of bail revocation over his continuous absence loomed ahead.

    Khan entered the court in a wheelchair. On the previous day, his doctors had advised him to bed rest, citing insufficient healing of his injured leg.

    Earlier in the day, the PTI chief revealed in a video message that he was the target of a second murder attempt on March 18 in the judicial complex in Islamabad.

    In a video message, the former Prime Minister said, “If anything happenes to me, I believe Dirty Harry and his gang will be responsible,” adding that he is not under threat by an outside enemy.

  • Islamabad High Court saves Imran Khan from getting arrested

    Islamabad High Court saves Imran Khan from getting arrested

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stopped police from arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    The court has said that Khan should be given a chance to present himself before the Islamabad sessions court which issued the non-bailable arrest warrants for Khan and directed the police to present him before them on March 18 (Saturday).

    Imran en route to LHC to offer assurance that he will go to Islamabad tomorrow

    Khan will also present himself before the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday afternoon (today) to assure the judge that he will appear before the Islamabad sessions court — which has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for him— tomorrow.

    It is pertinent to mention here that since Tuesday the Islamabad police and Rangers have been trying to arrest Imran failed to do so.

    The police arrived with Khan’s arrest warrant which was issued by a court in Islamabad on Monday, March 13, due to his continuous absence from the hearings of the Toshakhana case. The court had also directed police to present the ex-premier in court by March 18.

    A case was registered against Khan that he hadn’t disclosed gifts that he received and was supposed to deposit in Toshkahana before selling them. Despite the court’s numerous warnings, Khan didn’t appear before the judge.

  • ‘Whatever is happening is the result of your actions’; IHC slams Imran’s lawyers

    ‘Whatever is happening is the result of your actions’; IHC slams Imran’s lawyers

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday morning slammed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal team as a hearing began on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging arrest warrants for the Chairman on security grounds.

    PTI had filed the plea on Tuesday and requested a hearing on the same day. However, the Registrar raised objections because there was no biometric verification on the application.

    IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq began hearings by asking Imran Khan’s counsel if they had removed the Registrar’s objections. PTI lawyer Khawaja Haris replied that what is happening in Lahore is known.

    “Whatever is happening is a result of your actions,” replied the Chief Justice.

    He also said that the plea is yet to be fixed, and he will hear it once it is fixed for hearing. Khawaja Haris asked the court to fix 12PM for the hearing.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan tweeted on Wednesday morning that the real intent of arrest was to “abduct and assassinate” him.

  • Sheikh Rashid to be formally charged on March 2 in Zardari allegations case

    Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid will be formally charged on March 2 by a district and sessions court in Islamabad for accusing former President Asif Ali Zardari of plotting an assassination attempt on Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The court has also ordered that the former interior minister’s appears before the judge on the said date.

    Rashid requested the court to set March 15 as the date for indictment. However, the judge said that the high court has given its orders and the date cannot be extended.

    Court grants bail to Sheikh Rasheed in Zardari remarks case

    On Thursday, Rashid was granted bail in this case by Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    The high court approved his application and passed an order to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000.

    Earlier, a district and sessions court of Islamabad rejected his bail, after which he approached the high court.

    In the early hours of February 2, Rashid was arrested from his home in Islamabad and was later handed over to police on a two-day physical remand.

    Rashid was also booked in another case in Karachi for allegedly using inappropriate language against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.