Tag: islamabad

  • Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

    The district and sessions court heard the Toshakhana case where Khan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari and Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer Saad Hasan were present in court. The hearing of the case was conducted by judge Zafar Iqbal.

    Khan’s lawyer informed the court that PTI chief will not be able to appear in the court today. Bukhari requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days. The court had repeatedly asked Khan to appear at the hearing. However, Khan failed to do so, citing his injured leg and security reasons.

    The Election Comission of Pakistan’s (ECP) counsel opposed the request, saying the PTI chief did not want to appear before the court. “It is not the court’s concern how far the party head is travelling from to reach the court.”

    He pointed out that Imran could also appear before that court if he was coming to the judicial complex.

    The PTI lawyer said his client could come to the court when he was free of the other two cases within the judicial operational timings.

    “He should also come here as indictment is pending. Once indicted, he can head to the other courts,” the judge responded.

    Khan arrived at Islamabad’s judicial complex on Tuesday afternoon to attend two separate hearings of prohibited funding and terrorism cases filed against him.

    Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Raja Jawad Abbas approved Khan’s interim bail until March 9 in the terrorism case, while banking court Judge Rakhshinda Shaheen confirmed bail for the PTI chief in the prohibited funding case.

    Khan was required to appear in person in four different cases in Islamabad courts today. The foreign funding case is in a banking court and the terrorism case is in an anti-terrorism court located inside the judicial complex, while Toshakhana and attempted murder cases will be heard at a sessions’ court in F-8 Kacheri.

    A large number of PTI workers entered the judicial complex with Khan’s entourage, knocking down its gate and creating chaos as the former Prime Minister’s car arrived at the Complex.

    Security arrangements at Sector G-11 of the Judicial Complex were disrupted as PTI workers removed all barriers. Meanwhile, security has also been tightened at the F-8 kachehri.

    Islamabad Police also took to Twitter and said, “A suspicious person was identified in the crowd. The man was wearing a camouflage jacket and a black cap and was near Imran Khan’s car. People are requested not to form a crowd. Otherwise tear gas can be used.”

    The banking court postponed the proceedings scheduled for all the cases against Khan, citing security concerns. 

    The court had summoned the PTI chief to appear before it today in the prohibited funding case.

    An anti-terrorism court granted interim bail to the PTI chair in the terrorism case filed against him after countrywide protests following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference.

    ATC judge Raja Jawad heard the case and granted bail till March 9.

  • PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    PSL 8: Lahore Qalandars destroy Islamabad United by 110 runs

    Lahore Qalandars continued their winning streak on Monday, thrashing Islamabad United in the 16th fixture of PSL 8 by 110 runs at the Gaddafi stadium Lahore.

    Choosing to bat first, Qalandars set a massive target of 201 runs with the help of a sensational knock by young player Abdullah Shafique. Islamabad United’s strong batting lineup was eviscerated by Qalandars’ bowling attack, knocking them out in just 13.5 overs by conceding only 90 runs and a thrilling bowling display from David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.

    United, on the other hand, were left to revisit their planning.
    Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had the stumps flying against Peshawar Zalmi in his first over a day earlier, did not bowl another classic against United.
    In reply to the huge total, United could not establish a productive partnership after Gurbaz and Munro put up 56-2 in the powerplay.
    Zaman Khan gave Lahore a much-needed breakthrough after openers Colin Munro and Gurbaz (23) helped Islamabad make a good start.

    Zaman delivered a slow short bowl that was mistimed by Gurbaz and Fakhar Zaman took a blinder to send the Afghan batter back to the pavilion.

    Soon after Gurbaz’s departure, Shaheen introduced David Wiese, who got the better of Colin Munro, reducing Islamabad to 54-2.

    The left-handed batter scored 18 runs off 14 balls.

    In the next over, fiery pacer Haris Rauf struck as he sent Rassie van der Dussen (3) packing.

    Wiese delivered again as he sent Islamabad’s skipper Shadab Khan (4) back to the pavilion after a successful review.

    In a bid to shore up the run rate, Asif Ali went for a six but ended up getting caught by Haris off Rashid Khan.

    Wiese added to Islamabad’s miseries by trapping Azam Khan for an lbw. The wicket-keeper batter, who scored 96 runs against Quetta Gladiators in their previous match, was sent packing after he scored only four runs.

    The wizard Rashid claimed his second scalp of the evening by bowling out Tom Curran (10).

    For Lahore, Wiese claimed three wickets, while Rashid and Raza took two scalps each. Zaman and Haris secured a wicket each.

    Playing XI for both teams

    Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Tahir Baig, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, David Wiese, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

    Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer, Hasan Ali

  • Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Lawyer of F-9 rape survivor says story of suspects killed in late-night encounter is a lie

    Imaan Z Hazir Mazari, the lawyer of the woman who was raped in F- 9 Park, has said that Islamabad Police’s claim of killing the two main suspects in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint is false.

    She further said that the suspects have been found to be involved in 50-rape cases.

    On Thursday, the Islamabad Police said that the two main suspects in the F-9 Park girl rape case were killed in a late-night encounter at a police checkpoint.

    In a series of tweets, the police had claimed that the suspects opened fire on them. In retaliatory firing, the suspects were injured and later succumbed to their injuries.

    The police said that they were not only involved in the F-9 rape incident but other “serious crimes”. One of the suspects was involved in a deadly mugging, it added.

    ‘Don’t leave home after sunset’: Rapists tell survivor after raping her, give her Rs1000

    On February 4, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by two unidentified armed men in a public park located in Islamabad’s F-9 area.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), two armed men approached the rape survivor while she was with her male coworker in a park in F-9.

    According to the FIR, the men separated the woman from her colleague and took them to a neighbouring bush at gunpoint. The suspects beat the young woman up after she pleaded with them to let her go and even offered them money in exchange for her safety.

    The rape survivor in the FIR said that after raping her the rapists told her not to leave home after the sunset and also gave her Rs1000.

    She further said that the suspects asked her about her relationship with her colleague and slapped her.

    Islamabad Police in a tweet said that DNA samples of all the suspects are being collected.

  • Fact check: No one died from the leopard attack in Islamabad

    Fact check: No one died from the leopard attack in Islamabad

    Claim: In an unusual incident, a leopard on Thursday was found on the loose in well-known private housing— Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Islamabad, attacking the people who tried to capture it. The wild animal was captured by the Wildlife Board in the evening.

    However, speculation was rife on social media that one person had died of the leopard attack.

    Fact: To address and clarify the different stories, the Chair of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Rina Khan Satti took to Twitter on Thursday, stating that the leopard injured a total of four people including two members of the wildlife board who suffered minor injuries.

    She also urged the people to stop spreading rumours and stated that both the animal and the injured people are safe.

    Earlier today, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman also addressed the attack, sharing a video of the leopard.

    For now, the Islamabad Police has opened a criminal investigation against an unknown person for “domesticating” a leopard.

    The animal was being kept as a pet in an unknown person’s home, the police alleged on Friday in a tweet. “The suspect endangered the lives of citizens by keeping dangerous animals,” it said, adding that legal action will be taken after arresting him soon.

  • Leopard finally captured in Islamabad

    Leopard finally captured in Islamabad

    In the late hours of Thursday, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) confirmed that a leopard that was on the loose in a private housing society in Islamabad was contained.

    A total of total injuries has been reported so far by the officials.

    Leopard on the loose in DHA Islamabad

    On Thursday, a leopard injured people by entering DHA Islamabad who tried to capture it.

    The wild animal entered an under-construction house in Phase II of the society late on Thursday afternoon. Videos filmed by residents on social media show the animal evading attempts to capture it and jumping on walls.

    The Islamabad Wildlife Board and Assistant Commissioner Zukhruf Fida Malik issued instructions to residents to stay indoors till the animal is captured.

    The Wildlife Board also specified that they are using a trapper to try and capture the big cat.

    Leopards are indigenous to parts of Islamabad and neighbouring areas including Murree and Nathiagali. They are a protected species in the Margalla Hills.

  • Punish the victim, protect the rapist. Will Pakistan change?

    Punish the victim, protect the rapist. Will Pakistan change?

    In a shocking incident, a young woman was raped by two armed men at the F-9 Park in Islamabad on February 2. According to the 24-year-old victim, she was visiting the F-9 Park along with a male companion around 8pm when two armed stopped them at gunpoint, separated them and then took her towards a thicket and raped her. They also threatened her to remain silent or they would call “more friends” to rape her. After raping her, she was told by the rapists that she should not have been in the park at night. A police complaint at Margalla police station mentioned that the woman had marks of torture on her legs and face. “I was slapped. My hair was pulled and I was thrown on the floor,” the woman’s statement to the police read.

    People in Pakistan have expressed anger over the country’s “rape epidemic” and also slammed negligence over such cases of violence against women. Hundreds of protesters gathered in the F-9 park slamming the law enforcement’s response to the assault as they tied their dupattas to the railings in solidarity with the rape victims and survivors.

    It was also quite shocking that the Islamabad Police asked people after this incident to only visit well-lit areas in the park when the rapists took the girl to a thicket to rape her at gunpoint. Instead of taking responsibility and providing security to citizens, the police want to restrict people’s movement. As anger and rage engulfed Pakistan over the issue of women’s safety, we still look for answers to whether this will ever end and whether women will find happiness, security and peace in Pakistan. Will victim-blaming ever stop? Will there ever come a time when society and the lawmakers all unanimously stand as one with the victims and survivors? Will the predators of such heinous crimes be punished? Will the war on women ever come to an end?

    To the hopelessness and rage that fills our hearts, may women find security, protectiveness and justice in this country. Will Pakistan ever stand with its women? The women are angry, and rightly so as they have been betrayed by their own system, society and law-enforcers.

  • VIP protocol for Maryam Nawaz in Islamabad

    VIP protocol for Maryam Nawaz in Islamabad

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz was given VIP protocol upon her arrival in Islamabad, Dunya News reported on Friday.

    According to media reports, the security plan was designed under the supervision of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Parliament Lodges through which 16 security personnel, including police and FC, were appointed outside the are where Maryam Nawaz was staying.

    Security personnel were strictly prohibited from using their mobile phones during duty hours. The Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) was also tasked with managing parking and traffic flow outside Parliament Lodges during Maryam Nawaz’s stay.

    On January 3, Maryam was appointed as the party’s “Chief Organiser” and “Senior Vice President”. Later, she returned to the country from London, to take charge of her new responsibilities after a three-month absence.

  • Indictment deferred after Imran skips Toshakhana case hearing

    Indictment deferred after Imran skips Toshakhana case hearing

    A sessions court in Islamabad deferred the indictment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman skipped today’s hearing citing health reasons.

    The PTI chairman is recovering from wounds he sustained in a gun attack on November 3, 2022 during a rally in Wazirabad.

    “How can we frame charges if exemption pleas are filed again and again?” the judge asked.

    Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, argued that they had not been provided attested copies of the evidence and complaints.

    At this, ECP’s lawyer said that they had provided the said documents in front of the court. However, the judge directed the lawyer to ensure that all the required material is provided to the defence.

    During the proceedings, the ECP lawyer asked, “Why did Imran Khan not appear before the court? We have seen him dancing on the container.”

    At this, Zafar told the ECP lawyer to refrain from giving such statements.

    He also requested that any date after February 15 be fixed instead.

    “Give us a date when Imran Khan will appear” the judge asked.

    “He will come if he is able to,” the counsel responded.

  • Imran Khan to live in special bulletproof rooms in Bani Gala

    Imran Khan to live in special bulletproof rooms in Bani Gala

    Amid security threats, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has decided to shift to his home in Bani Gala, Islamabad.

    The former Prime Minister (PM) is currently living in his family home in Zaman Park in Lahore.

    Preparations are being made to increase the security of his Bani Gala residence so that Khan can stay there.

    Two special bulletproof rooms have been set up for the PTI chief, with bullet-resistant glass being fitted in the windows. It has also been decided that his private security will be increased.

    Imran Khan has been living in Lahore since November of last year, when an assassination attempt injured the former Premier.

    Imran Khan’s convoy was attacked on November 3 while passing through Wazirabad. The PTI chief was leading a protest march toward Islamabad at the time. He suffered bullet injuries on his legs and received treatment at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.

    PTI has claimed several times that Khan’s life is at stake. On January 27, Khan alleged that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari is plotting and financing an assassination attempt for which Zardari had hired terrorists.

    PPP denied the accusations, with the party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari slamming the allegations against his father. The party even sent a legal notice to Imran Khan, stating that it will sue him unless he apologises within 14 days.

  • Islamabad, Karachi put under high alert after Peshawar attack

    Islamabad, Karachi put under high alert after Peshawar attack

    Following the suicide bombing in a mosque in Peshawar on Monday, officials have raked up the security of Islamabad and Karachi.

    Special measures have been taken at key sensitive buildings in Islamabad, including the President House, Prime Minister (PM) House and Parliament among other places.

    Moreover, high security was also beefed up at all the entry points of the capital, Islamabad police’s Twitter account said on Monday.

    Snipers have been deployed at all locations and residents are instructed to carry identity cards and essential documents along with them while travelling.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh Police has also ordered officials to start patrolling and snap checking in Karachi.

    A day earlier, Peshawar was attacked by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which claimed the lives of 93 people and left more than 200 injured. In a surprise turn of events, the TTP later claimed that it had nothing to do with the bombing.

    Pakistan is currently facing a resurgence in terrorist activities.

    After the Peshawar attack, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that such cowardly terror attacks will not weaken the nation’s resolve and that all the terrorists and their facilitators involved in the attacks will be punished.