Tag: LHC

  • Punjab govt reveals total number of cases against Imran Khan

    Punjab govt reveals total number of cases against Imran Khan

    The Punjab government on Tuesday submitted a report to the Lahore High Court (LHC) regarding the total number of registered cases against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, in the province.

    According to a report submitted by Punjab Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Farrukh Lodhi, 54 cases have been registered against the former premier in Punjab.

    “Out of 54 cases, 21 cases have been registered against incarcerated founder PTI in Lahore alone, 19 cases in Rawalpindi division, and seven in Sheikupura,” the report said.

    “Five cases in Faisalabad and one case in Gujranwala have also been registered against Imran Khan,” it added.

    Assistant Attorney General Sardar Ameer Hamza Dogar also submitted a report in LHC, as per which, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered three cases against the incarcerated former PM.

    The development comes after Noreen Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, filed a petition in the LHC seeking details of the cases against her brother in Punjab.

    It may be noted that former PM Khan was arrested from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case in August last year and has been in jail since then on multiple charges.

    Currently, he is held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail under high security and with B-class facilities due to his status as a former prime minister.

    Earlier, the founder of PTI was also kept in Attock Jail.

    He is facing several cases, including the £190 million reference and a new Toshakhana case.

    Meanwhile, speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Barrister Salman Safdar, the lawyer of the PTI founder, claimed that Imran Khan will soon be acquitted in the Al-Qadir Trust case, noting that in the worst scenario, if the party founder was even convicted, “the sentence will be suspended within 15 days.”

    “All cases against Imran Khan have vanished, including both Toshakhana one and Toshakhana two,” Barrister Salman Safdar said.

  • Court orders removal of Parvez Elahi’s name from no-fly list

    Court orders removal of Parvez Elahi’s name from no-fly list

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted significant relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi by directing the removal of his name from the Passport Control List (PCL), as reported by ARY News on Monday.

    Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza of the LHC issued the verdict in response to a filed petition. Justice Mirza also instructed the removal of the names of Elahi’s son, Rasikh Elahi, and daughter-in-law, Zara Elahi, from the PCL.

    Earlier, Parvez Elahi had submitted a plea requesting the removal of his name from the PCL to facilitate his international travel.

    On May 21, Parvez Elahi was released from jail after spending a year behind bars.

    Following his release, the veteran politician stated, “I am thankful to Allah for giving me the courage to remain steadfast. I am also grateful to the judges who upheld the truth and supported me.”

  • Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    Punjab Defamation Act 2024 challenged in LHC

    On Wednesday, senior journalists filed a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the controversial Punjab Defamation Act 2024 after the bill was approved in May of this year.

    Earlier, on May 20, the Punjab Assembly passed the defamation bill despite strong protests by the opposition, journalists, and civil rights organisations.

    “The controversial Punjab Act is repugnant to the Defamation Ordinance 2002, which has been provided protection under Article 270AA under the 18th Amendment to the constitution,” read the petition.

    The petitioners argued in their petition that the Act violated fundamental rights guaranteed in Articles 10A, 18, 19, 19A, and 25 of the Constitution.

    The petition also stated that the Act aims to stifle freedom of speech and dissent, as it has affected the work of journalists due to egregious punishments.

  • LHC orders PM office to stop intelligence agencies from contacting judges

    LHC orders PM office to stop intelligence agencies from contacting judges

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to instruct all intelligence agencies not to contact any member of the judiciary.

    Justice Shahid Karim issued a four-page written interim order on Saturday in the Sargodha’s ATC judge harassment case.

    On June 12, the LHC Chief Justice took notice of the incident based on the complaint of District & Sessions Judge (D&SJ) Muhammad Abbas, who said he faced harassment from an ISI official because he refused to meet in his chambers.

    The suo motu notice was taken by former LHC chief justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan on the ATC judge’s complaint. However, Justice Karim took over the proceedings after Shahzad Ahmad’s elevation to the Supreme Court.

    The written order states that no agency should “approach or contact” a judge, whether of the superior or subordinate judiciary, or any member of their staff in the future.

    Justice Karim also said that the judges of ATC across Punjab are directed to download a call recording application to record all the calls they receive.

  • Establishment’s involvement in judicial matters will end soon, says LHC Chief Justice

    Establishment’s involvement in judicial matters will end soon, says LHC Chief Justice

    Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan said confidently on Friday that the security establishment’s involvement in the judiciary will be over soon.

    While addressing an event in Rawalpindi, he stated, “Interference in judiciary will have to be fought with faith that it will come to an end.”

    Justice Khan stressed that the establishment’s interference in the judiciary is a genuine issue, adding that he received letters as proof claiming the Army establishment’s involvement in judicial matters.

    “The establishment’s interference in judicial matters will end, and my experience [tells me] that it will come to an end,” said the chief justice.

    Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed mentioned that he is happy that judicial authorities is “fulfilling their responsibilities without any fear or greed”.
    Earlier, on March 25, six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges wrote a letter to Supreme Court (SC) blaming intelligence agencies for interfering in judicial matters.

  • Three judges recommended for promotion to Supreme Court

    Three judges recommended for promotion to Supreme Court

    The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has sent the names of three high court judges on Friday to a parliamentary committee for approval for promotion to the Supreme Court (SC), Geo has reported.

    During the JCP meeting, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) recommended the names of three judges: Lahore High Court Chief (LHC) Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad, Sindh High Court Chief (SHC) Justice Aqeel Abbasi, and LHC Justice Shahid Bilal.

    JCP was established under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to select judges for top courts.

    Nine JCP members, including Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahaya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice (retd) Manzoor Ahmed Malik, Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, and Pakistan Bar Council representative advocate Akhtar Hussain, attended the meeting.

    The total strength of judges in the SC is 17, but currently, only 14 judges are working, and three seats need to be filled.

  • LHC Chief Justice says respect the court otherwise don’t keep high expectations

    LHC Chief Justice says respect the court otherwise don’t keep high expectations

    Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan has said while addressing a ceremony by Punjab Judicial Academy on Friday, “Beware of those who want to sow discord.”

    He emphasised the need to avoid institutional confrontation because it would only weaken the institutions.

    The Chief Justice emphasized that the “judiciary does not want a face-off” with any bar, institution, or government, however, “this gesture should be seen by all parties”.

    Justice Shahzad stressed the legal fraternity not become the “B team” of any government, agency or institution, except for enhancing coordination to improve the system.

    He further said that they will “respect everyone until the courts are given due honour, otherwise, no one should set high expectations”.

    The CJ advised the judges, who completed their pre-service training course, to realise a big responsibility on them which demands them to work fearlessly, without accepting any pressure and greed.

  • Lahore High Court grants bail to Parvez Elahi

    Lahore High Court grants bail to Parvez Elahi

    Former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi received significant relief on Tuesday when Lahore High Court (LHC) approved his bail application in a case involving illegal appointments in Punjab Assembly.
    Justice Sultan Tanveer Ahmad of the LHC announced the decision on the reserved verdict.

    During the hearing, Parvez Elahi’s counsel argued that the former Punjab chief minister did not receive any money from candidates in exchange for hiring them. He alleged that the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) framed Parvez Elahi with fabricated evidence.

    In contrast, the ACE lawyer maintained that the case against Elahi is lawful, and he was arrested on October 25, 2023.
    According to an ACE spokesperson, Elahi made 12 illegal recruitments in the Punjab Assembly for grade 17 positions.
    The candidates were hired in the Punjab Assembly by illegally altering records.

  • Faisal Vawda demands ‘evidence’ of interference in judicial matters

    Faisal Vawda demands ‘evidence’ of interference in judicial matters

    Independent Senator Faisal Vawda has criticised judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for their letter accusing spy agencies of interfering in judicial matters, saying we should stop targeting institutions.

    “Stop targeting the institutions, enough is enough. If there is any interference by institutions, then provide evidence, and we will stand together [against it],” said the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader during a press conference. 

    Vawda’s remarks came after he filed an application to ask the IHC registrar about revealing the exchange of a letter between former IHC chief justice Athar Minallah and IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar regarding Justice Sattar’s green card.

    The senator wrote a letter, mentioning the social media campaigns against Justice Babar Sattar, accusing him of holding dual nationality and business interests in a private school in the country.

    “A press release was issued that said Justice Sattar is Pakistani, but I didn’t get a reply. CJP Qazi Faez Isa, under Article 19, ordered that every Pakistani can get an answer,” he said.

    The former PTI leader stated that judges should be transparent and away from accusations.

    Vawda stressed that the accusations made by the IHC judges kept mentioning the names of agencies repeatedly. “Give evidence, and we will stand beside you,” he added.

  • Sardar Saleem Hiader takes oath as new governor of Punjab

    Sardar Saleem Hiader takes oath as new governor of Punjab

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sardar Saleem Haider has taken oath as the new Governor of Punjab on Friday at the Governor’s House.

    Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC), administered the oath to newly appointed Governor.

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attended the swearing-in ceremony.

    Last week, president Asif Ali Zardari gave approval for the appointment of Saleem Haider, Faisal Karim Kundi, and Jaffar Khan Mandokhail as governors of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan, respectively.