Tag: Justice Umar Ata Bandial

  • ‘Your talking to me has placed me in a most embarrassing position’, Former CJ Bandial slammed

    ‘Your talking to me has placed me in a most embarrassing position’, Former CJ Bandial slammed

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, before his retirement earlier this month, had a telephonic conversation with Justice Sardar Tariq Masood to discuss a matter of complaints against fellow judges of the apex court, as per The News.

    As per the sources of Geo’s senior reporter Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui, Justice Masood received a phone call from CJ Bandial on the night of September 5, 2023. The two justices had a conversation, initially intended to discuss and resolve complaints against fellow judges of the Supreme Court, which took a bitter turn.

    Sources suggest that during the contentious telephonic conversation, former Chief Justice Bandial extended an offer to Justice Masood. Allegedly, he proposed that if a pending complaint against another judge were withdrawn, then the complaint against Justice Masood would also be resolved.

    Displeased by the call, Justice Masood wrote a letter to the former CJ on September 6, expressing his disapproval. Justice Masood was upset at how the former CJ had called him instead of forwarding the matter to the current members of the Supreme Judicial Council, including Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, the chief justice of the Sindh High Court, and the chief justice of the Lahore High Court.

    The letter penned by Justice Masood — dated September 6 — reads as follows:

    Mr Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Islamabad.

    “Dear Sir,

    Yesterday you spoke to me on the phone and informed me that a complaint against me was submitted by Mrs Amina Malik and you asked me what to do with it. Sir, with the greatest of respect I do not think it was appropriate for you to have talked to me about the said complaint. Sir, you’re talking to me has placed me in a most embarrassing position.

    Under the circumstances, it would be best if the said complaint is placed for consideration before the Supreme Judicial Council as I do not want an additional accusation of seeking favour to be leveled against me. I am confident that the Council will attend to it in accordance with the constitution and the law, and if the complaint is found to be false and intended to malign me then the Council will act pursuant to clause 14 of the Supreme Judicial Council (Procedure of Inquiry), 2005.

    Yours very sincerely,

    Justice Tariq Masood”

    Geo News attempted to contact the former chief justice to get his stance on this matter but, as of now, no response has been received.

  • Political leaders need to find solution to problems through dialogue, says CJP Bandial

    Political leaders need to find solution to problems through dialogue, says CJP Bandial

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has said that political issues require political leaders to put their heads together and come up with a solution through dialogue while the judiciary alone cannot solve all problems.

    CJP Bandial on Friday while addressing the ninth International Judicial Conference said that the judiciary is determined to protect the constitution and the day is not far when Pakistan will become a progressive and prosperous state.

    Referring to Yousuf Raza Gillani’s case and that of the National Assembly’s former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, the chief justice said that decisions are made in greater constitutional interest.

    “We protected the constitution of Pakistan,” he declared.

    He further said that good governance is an important pillar for defending human rights.

    Talking about the constitution, he said that it guarantees the protection of basic human rights and that the judiciary is committed to protecting human rights without any prejudices or partiality.

    “That is why we took several suo motos to safeguard basic human rights,” he stated.

  • ‘PTI MNAs can return to Assembly if PM announces elections’: Asad Qaiser

    ‘PTI MNAs can return to Assembly if PM announces elections’: Asad Qaiser

    Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can return to the House if Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announces date for general elections.

    Speaking to Dawn News’ Adil Shahzeb on Thursday, the PTI leader said, “I am telling you about the party policy. But first, they need to decide on a date for elections and dissolving the assemblies.”

    “But the date of elections must not be too far away”, he added.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTI leaders had tendered their resignations together after former PM Imran Khan’s government was ousted through a no-confidence motion in April of this year. Since then, most of the resignations remain with the current Speaker, Raja Pervez Ashraf.

    Discussing another possibility, Asad Qaiser said the party can consider rejoining the NA if there is a need for legislating or passing amendments regarding election reforms, stressing that his party chairman Imran Khan is also of the same view.

    About the dissolution of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies, where PTI is in power, Qaiser revealed that the option is “still alive” and that discussions are taking place regarding this matter.

    Talking about PTI long march, he said whatever steps are taken would be within constitutional limits.

    Asad’s remarks came after Supreme Court (SC) suggested on Thursday that PTI should go back to the lower house as voters had elected them for five years.

    ‘Return to the National Assembly’: CJP Bandial says PTI should play its role in parliament

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial reminded PTI that public had elected their representatives for a term of five years.

    “People have elected [PTI lawmakers] for five years. The party should play its role in parliament. Playing a due role in parliament is the actual obligation,” said CJP Bandial.

    Initially, PTI had moved the IHC and challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) acceptance of the resignations of 11 MNAs and not accepting a “piece-meal” resignation of all 123 lawmakers.

    But the IHC dismissed the plea on September 6.

    During today’s hearing, the top court said that the IHC has given a clear ruling on the phase-wise acceptance of MNAs’ resignations.

    “The speaker has the legal right to accept the resignations of MNAs. Prima facie, if the speaker’s rights are infringed upon, it will attract Article 69,” the court said.

    “Convince the court that the high court’s decision had some drawbacks,” it said, telling PTI’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry that the people elected his clients for a term of five years and the party should play its role in parliament.

    “Your [PTI] real responsibility is to play your role in parliament. Millions of people have been affected by floods,” the CJP told the counsel, drawing light on the country’s grim situation.

    “You will also have to look at the country’s economic situation. Does the PTI have any idea how much it will cost to hold by-elections on 123 seats?” he asked.

    The CJP said one should conduct themselves in a dignified manner and exercise “tolerance in matters of the state”.

    “We are giving you another chance to think. Take instructions from the party,” he told the PTI’s counsel.

    The CJP asked, “Why do you want the court to issue a stay order on by-polls on the 11 National Assembly seats?”

    The PTI’s counsel replied that elections cannot be held in selected constituencies.

    “Have you ever asked the speaker why is he not confirming the resignations?” inquired the CJP.

    The chief justice observed that they cannot interfere in the jurisdiction of the speaker.

    “Every institution has its own limitation,” the CJP remarked.

    Turnout in by-elections is low, CJP Bandial said, adding that expenses for by-elections in 123 constituencies at a time will be very high.

    According to the Constitution, the first duty of elected members is to join the assembly, observed the CJP.

    “It is possible that you will gain political advantage from the elections, but prima facie, the procedure adopted by the speaker is not wrong,” remarked the CJP.

    Meanwhile, the court adjourned the case for an indefinite period.

  • ECP verdict: Govt decides to place Imran and other PTI leaders on no-fly list

    ECP verdict: Govt decides to place Imran and other PTI leaders on no-fly list

    After the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict was announced yesterday in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign funding case, the coalition government has reportedly decided to put the names of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders on the no-fly list to prevent them from leaving the country. The government has also decided to move the Supreme Court (SC) to hear the reference it is going to file in the wake of the ECP verdict.

    The government will put the names of former premier Imran Khan, ex-governors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh and former chairman of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) Zulqarnain Ali Khan on the no-fly list, reports The Express Tribune.

    The government will also request Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a full court to hear the case, which is yet to be filed, reports Geo News.

    All the government allies were unanimously on board for taking strict legal action in light of the ECP’s verdict.

    PTI to move IHC

    “The PTI will file two different petitions — one contempt of court petition against ECP for violating the Supreme Court and high court’s decisions for not giving verdict against PPP and PML-N together with PTI, whereas the second petition would be filed against the ECP’s decision for having too many loopholes in the verdict,” announced Asad Umar yesterday.

    “People trust Imran Khan and that’s why they sent their money to him when he started the fundraising events. If you block political donations, the only other way is that of powerful people,” he added.

    Just after the decision was announced, PTI leader Fa­­wad Chaudhry said that most of the money was donated by overseas Pakistanis.

    He said that he could not understand why the PML-N, JUI-F and PPP declared overseas Pakistanis as an “enemy”.

    “We consider overseas Pakistanis to be the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and will continue to rely on them for our funding,” said Fawad. About the certificates that were submitted to the ECP by Khan, Fawad said that these certificates were made by the auditors and Khan had just signed them so the responsibility cannot be put on Imran.

    The former premier had personally issued certificates to the ECP in regards to Article 13(2) of the PPO to the effect that PTI “does not receive funds from prohibited sources”, meaning thereby that the PTI is not a foreign-aided political party.

    On Tuesday, the ECP said that PTI received ‘prohibited funds’ from 34 foreign nationals. The PTI was issued a show-cause notice after the unanimous verdict by a three-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

  • Regulate CJ’s powers to constitute benches, say lawyers

    Regulate CJ’s powers to constitute benches, say lawyers

    The legal fraternity on Wednesday demanded the regulation of the exercise of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (SC), particularly ending the sole discretion of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) in the constitution of benches and fixing cases.

    The request was made in a joint meeting of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC).

    The meeting emphasised its demand that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) immediately amends its rules to allow nominations for judicial appointments to be initiated by any member of the Judicial Commission rather than the chief justice alone (which is even otherwise violative of Article 175-A of the Constitution) and, moreover, to frame fair, transparent and objective criteria and procedures to gauge the suitability of prospective appointees.

    Moreover, they demanded that Article 184(3) of the Constitution be amended in order to provide one right of appeal. They asked the federal government to immediately withdraw the curative review filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

    SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon in a press conference said that the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary was not a matter of election, adding that the chief justice of Pakistan and members of the Judicial Commission should strictly adhere to the principle of seniority.

    Govt to withdraw review petition against Justice Qazi Faez Isa

    The federal cabinet on July 27 decided to withdraw the curat­ive review petitions filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

    The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, observed the action taken against Justice Isa by the Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was through “unfair use of authority”.

    An inquiry committee was constituted, which includes Minister for Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for National Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema and Minister for Education Rana Tanveer.

    The committee, after an assessment of the review petitions filed against Justice Isa, would present a report to the cabinet.

    Justice Faez Isa advised CJP not to bulldoze the due process of judges’ appointment

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa advised Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial not to bulldoze the “due process” for the appointment of more than one-third of the total number of judges in the apex court.

    In a letter written to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), Justice Isa said that it was surprising that the JCP’s meeting had been convened to consider the appointment of five SC judges during summer vacations. It is pertinent to mention here that JCP is headed by CJP Bandial.

    “When availing of annual leave no meeting of the JCP was scheduled but as soon as I left Pakistan the CJP decided to hold two meetings of the JCP to consider appointments to the Sindh and Lahore High Courts, and now a third unscheduled meeting of the JCP is to be held during the summer vacations of the SC. The summer vacations of the SC were notified by the CJP himself, and then these were gazetted in the Official Gazette. If the CJP renders his own notification utterly meaningless then let him first withdraw it, instead of violating it,” wrote Justice Isa in his letter.

    “It suggests that the CJP does not want me to be physically present, which is illegal and unconstitutional.”

    Justice Isa said that the matter of appointing judges to the superior courts requires utmost care and due deliberation as it is a delicate matter.

    Addressing the CJP, the judge said: “Please do not ridicule the JCP and your nominees by contravening the Constitution. Restricting the JCP to consider only the CJ’s pre-selected nominees is inappropriate. The JCP deserves to be treated with respect and consideration by its chairman.”

    Justice Isa stressed the need that “all appointments must be made in accordance with the Constitution, on the basis of a predetermined and non-discriminatory criteria. And above all without any impression of favouritism. The Constitution does not grant the CJP any powers additional to those of the other members of the JCP; the CJP is only designated as the Chairman of the JCP.”

    JCP meeting underway to discuss CJP Bandial’s five nominees for elevation to SC

    JCP meeting is underway to discuss CJP Bandial’s five nominees for their elevation to Supreme Court. Justice Isa is attending the meeting from Spain and Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar is participating from the USA.

  • Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case

    Ruling coalition demands full court bench in Punjab CM case

    The ruling coalition has demanded that a full court bench should hear the petitions filed in reference to the election of the Punjab chief minister (CM) election.

    In a statement, the coalition parties said it will be fair that a full court bench comprising all the honourable judges of the Supreme Court should review the hear Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) review request, the present petition, and other related applications together, and schedule them for hearing together and issue a single ruling because these are matters of national, political and constitutional importance.

    Criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the joint statement said that he wants to move Pakistan’s democracy and right to governance towards “default”, “just as he did with the economy”.

    “Imran Khan’s attitude and thoughts are like a ‘termite’ eating away at  Pakistan […] but the ruling coalition reiterates its commitment that there will be no compromise on the constitution, democracy, and people’s right to rule,” they said.

    They added that the coalition parties will move forward on every forum together and they will “fight against the darkness of fascism”.

    ‘Enough is enough. Don’t expect us to follow one-sided decisions, says Maryam Nawaz

    Reacting to the events of last night, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said that she disapproved of how things were unfolding said that the party will not accept “one-sided” decisions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,

    “Amid pressure due to bullying, threats, misbehaviour and abuses, if the house of justice makes specific decisions via the same bench and negates itself, negate its own decisions, puts its weight behind a single side then do not expect us to bow our heads before such one-sided decisions. Enough is Enough!” tweeted the PML-N leader.

    The PML-N leader said that the current political chaos and instability started with the Supreme Court’s court decision on Article 63A, adding that it made an “arbitrary interpretation” of the constitution to not count the MPAs that voted voluntarily. 

    “With utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted”: Atta Tarar

    PML-N leader Ataullah Tarar demanded that since this is a matter related to the interpretation of the Constitution, a full bench should hear the petition.

    The PML-N leader said that court hearings related to constitutional matters that have taken place recently — since the no-confidence motion against ex-prime minister Imran Khan — warrant a full bench.

    “Therefore, with the utmost respect, I request that a full bench be constituted to hear this case as well,” the PML-N leader said.

    ‘How long will State institutions continue to allow this? We are not far from Sri Lanka moment’: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in a series of tweets, said that Pakistan was “not far” from defaulting and the state would soon depict a likeness to Sri Lanka, which has defaulted on its external debt.

    Khan said in just over three months — from the time he was ousted from power — the “Zardari-Sharifs mafia” has “brought the country to its knees”, politically and economically.

    Khan alleged they had done so “to simply save their illegally accumulated wealth amassed over 30 years of plundering Pakistan”.

  • ‘Judges and generals can’t take decisions behind closed doors’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Judges and generals can’t take decisions behind closed doors’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the Supreme Court’s detailed judgement given yesterday in a suo motu case on the ruling by former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri under Article 5 of the Constitution. 

    “The people should be given the right to make decisions. Judges and generals can’t change their policies every day. They can’t take decisions behind closed doors.”

    Fawad said that Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has the sealed cipher in his office. “Senior judges should ask the CJP why it was not shown to them,” said Fawad. 

    He further claimed that a letter from President Alvi is also with the Supreme Court suggesting the formation of a commission to investigate the matter. However, the court had not responded to Alvi’s letter.

    “Rather than forming a commission to properly investigate the matter, the Supreme Court has given its verdict without even reading the material that was given to it. Moreover, the timing of the ruling is self-explanatory.” 

    The PTI leader asked if the Supreme Court could issue the detailed judgement after three months, why did it not delay it a bit longer. He alleged that it was purposefully done in the wake of the upcoming by-elections in Punjab.

    Moreover, the PTI leader claimed that people are aware of why the SC “did not want to investigate the cipher”. Chaudhry was of the view that the top court “should read the cipher before penning the judgment”.

    He challenged the decision saying that when PTI comes back into power, it will quash the order through Parliament.

    Commenting on Mazhar Alam Miankhel’s additional note which said “if we begin to pursue cases under article 6, we will find there are more people to hang than there are nooses”.

    If I get permission, will get Imran Khan arrested: Rana Sanuallah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that President Dr Arif Alvi should resign and that if he gets permission from the cabinet to file a case against Imran Khan, he [Khan] will be arrested.

    Rana Sanaullah said that the matter of reference against former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, President Alvi, former Deputy Speaker Suri will be considered in the cabinet tomorrow. Sanaullah said that Khan “can go to any level for his personal interests”.

    He claimed that PTI is still receiving salaries from the National Assembly and they are still using government vehicles. He urged that they should be de-seated and disqualified.

    Replying to a question, Rana Sanaullah said that Sheikh Rasheed was supposed to be arrested during the long march but he could not be found as he was in hiding.

    PM Shehbaz’s reaction

    Following the judgement, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that everyone should read the judgement. In a tweet, the preimer said, “Honourable Supreme Court’s detailed judgement on Vote of No Confidence exposes the lies and propaganda indulged in by Imran Khan and Co. utterly shameful how IK tried to undermine the Constitution and manufactured the lie of regime change.”

    PTI failed to produce any evidence to support claim of foreign conspiracy: Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court issued a detailed judgement on Wednesday (July 13) in a suo motu case on the ruling by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly under Article 5 of the Constitution.

    The court has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to “produce any evidence” before the court to support their claim of interference by a foreign force in the ousting of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion.

    In the judgement, the apex court revealed that the cipher was not even shown to it although its contents “were partially disclosed in the detailed reasons issued in support of the deputy speaker’s ruling”.

    On April 7, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court had declared Qasim Suri’s ruling on the dismissal of no-confidence motion against Imran Khan as unconstitutional and illegal. The bench unanimously ruled that President Dr Arif Alvi’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly is “illegal” and restored Imran Khan as Prime Minister as well as his cabinet ministers to face the no-confidence motion on April 9.

    No evidence

    The Supreme Court said that it rejected PTI’s plea to take suo motu action over the ‘breach of sovereignty’ allegation, citing “no precedence, absence of evidence and lack of jurisdiction”.

     Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that the action by the deputy speaker triggered a chain of events.

    Moreover, the SC noted that neither the Constitution nor the NA procedure rules have given the power to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to dismiss a no-trust resolution “for being inadmissible or non-maintainable”.

    The judgement said, “It was a unilateral decision taken by the Deputy Speaker at the behest of the Law Minister.”

    High treason for President Alvi, Khan and others?

    Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel stressed in his additional note that there must be consequences for President Alvi, ex-PM Imran, former Speaker Asad Qaiser, former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri and former Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry because they prevented the elected representatives of the people “from voting on the resolution” and therefore it was a “blatant transgression of the Constitution”.

    “Whether the stated acts attract Article 6 of the Constitution is also left open to be determined by the Parliamentarians as to whether they leave open the doors for such unconstitutional acts or take suitable measures to stop such like mess in future,” Justice Miankhel suggested.

    Article 6 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan states, “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.”

    Suri was biased

    Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel observed in his additional note that the action of the Deputy Speaker was biased. He said that if at the time it was permitted to hold fresh elections, it would amount to giving license to an authority to misuse the extraordinary power of the doctrine of necessity.

  • Justice Ayesha Malik confirmed for Supreme Court Judge, needs President’s formal approval

    Justice Ayesha Malik confirmed for Supreme Court Judge, needs President’s formal approval

    The Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court (SC).

    Justice Malik only requires the president’s formal assent to become the first woman to be elevated to the country’s top court.

    Justice Malik will remain a judge of the Supreme Court until March 2031 and may even have a chance to become the first woman to hold the post of chief justice.

    After a session on January 6, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) recommended Justice Malik’s name by a majority of five votes to four.

    Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, senior judge Justice Umar Ata Bandial, former judge Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem, and Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan had supported Justice Malik’s candidature, while Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Pakistan Bar Council representative Akhtar Hussain opposed the selection.

  • Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take oath as new chief justice on Feb 2

    Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take oath as new chief justice on Feb 2

    Supreme Court (SC) Justice Umar Ata Bandial will reportedly take oath as Pakistan’s 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on February 2, reports Geo news.

    Justice Bandial will replace the current CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed. Justice Ahmed will retire after working in the top judicial position for more than two years. He assumed office on December 21, 2019, replacing ex-CJP Justice Asif Saeed Khosa

    The Law and Justice Secretary have sent the summary to President Arif Alvi to appoint Justice Bandial as the next CJP. After the president’s nod, the ministry will issue a notification.

    The to-be-appointed CJ will remain in position till September 18, 2023.

    After Justice Bandial, Justice Qazi Faez Isa will become the chief justice to serve the office for over one year till October 25, 2024.

  • After FIA, NAB too cannot probe BRT project

    After FIA, NAB too cannot probe BRT project

    The Supreme Court has stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from investigating alleged irregularities in the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had approached the apex court against a ruling by the Peshawar High Court wherein the court had asked NAB to probe the mass transit project over alleged corrupt practices that resulted in massive losses to the national exchequer.

    A three-member bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial set aside the decision of the high court, saying it was based on speculations.

    According to the petition filed in the high court, the project was transferred to the Peshawar Development Authority despite the formation of a special BRT cell in the provincial transport department that also hired staffers and consultants. The court had observed the project was not coordinated well, resulting in delay and loss of money. 

    This is not the first time that NAB has been barred from touching the BRT. In 2018, after the PHC asked NAB to probe the BRT project, then chief justice Saqib Nisar had suspended the decision in Sept 2018.

    In Feb 2020, an SC bench headed by Justice Bandial had stopped the Federal Investigation Agency to stop the BRT investigation. At this time, the KP government’s lawyer had alleged that the PHC had issued its verdict without any reasoning.

    PESHAWAR METRO:

    The BRT bus service was launched on Aug 13 last year by Prime Minister Imran Khan after much delay as it missed several deadlines.

    The KP government and the project’s execution agency had promised to open the project, launched in October 2017, within six months on April 20, 2018. However, the deadline was missed.

    The project managers kept changing the launch dates from May 20 to June 30 to December 31 in 2018 to March 23, 2019, but the project was finally launched in Aug 2020. Since then, multiple buses of the BRT have broken down or caught fire.