Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has challenged his indictment in the cipher case in the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday. The former prime minister approached the SC through his counsel Hamid Khan, urging the top court to declare illegal the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to withhold the indictment.
He had previously argued his case before the Supreme Court, claiming that he was being unfairly targeted for political reasons. The former prime minister further asserted that government machinery is being used to fabricate false charges against him.
This is the second petition the PTI chief has filed in the Supreme Court related to the cipher case.
Last week, Imran Khan submitted a request to the Supreme Court for post-arrest bail in the cipher case. Imran and party’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi are currently in Adiala jail.
President Arif Alvi has penned a letter to Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, expressing the concerns of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the “erosion of fundamental rights and a level playing field for all political parties” in the upcoming general elections.
This communication follows the announcement of elections being held on February 8, 2024, stirring political activity across major party lines.
The details mentioned on X (formerly Twitter) account state, “President Dr. Arif Alvi has conveyed to the Care-taker Prime Minister, Mr. Anwar ul Haq Kakar, the concerns of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the erosion of fundamental rights and level playing field for all political parties.”
He also forwarded a letter addressed to him by the General Secretary of PTI, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, to the Prime Minister containing the concerns of the party.
In his letter, the President stated that it was of utmost importance that the caretaker government under the Prime Minister’s leadership made efforts as a neutral entity to provide a level playing field for all political parties.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has conveyed to the Care-taker Prime Minister, Mr. Anwar ul Haq Kakar, the concerns of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the erosion of fundamental rights and level playing field for all political parties.
“In this context, it was reassuring to hear your recent statements whereby you stated that it was the caretaker government’s policy that all registered political parties should have equal rights and opportunities to contest the forthcoming elections”, he wrote.
He said that “there was a resonance in Pakistan that for free, fair and credible elections, all political parties and leaders had right to contest and it was up to people to decide.”
In his letter, President Alvi said that he was constitutionally “duty-bound, along with the prime minister and all institutions, to protect the rights of the citizens”.
He said that in his missive, the PTI secretary general had conveyed the party’s concerns and allegations regarding the “erosion of fundamental rights, with particular reference to enforced disappearances, forced conversions of political loyalties, absence of level playing field for major political parties, crackdown on media and mistreatment of female political activists through prolonged illegal detentions”.
In response to the concerns, PM Kakar has offered assurances that individuals affiliated with PTI Chairman Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in connection with the cipher case and convicted in the Toshakhana case, will be permitted to participate in the upcoming polls.
The end-of-the-year sales, popularly known as 11.11 sales, are about to commence, with outlets and brands offering high-end products at cheaper prices.
Here, we will share with you some of the best deals being offered by the biggest names in the retail business:
Daraz 11. 11
Daraz is offering discounts on various products, from electronic devices to beauty products. There are products of daily use, mobile phones, fashion, health, home appliances, and various accessories at cheaper prices. The discounts they claim to offer are of a combined total of one billion rupees as the tagline says, “1 Arab k discounts”. There are no delivery charges and mega deals are available, offering up to 75 percent off.
The sale will start on November 11 and will last till November 21.
AliExpress 11.11
AliExpress is also hosting a grand sale on all the products on its app and website with a discount of up to 50 percent. It is also offering Rs. 1,140 off every Rs.5,702 worth of shopping. Products include cosmetics, gadgets, and everything in between, with more than 80 percent discounts on bestselling products.
With a warm-up on November 8, the sale will officially begin on November 11 and will last for the next seven days.
Laam.pk Mega deals11.11
Laam.pk has announced huge sales on all the high-end luxurious brands on its website. It is offering discounts ranging from 30 percent to more than 70 percent on all its collections. There are discounts available on bags, jewelry, and footwear as well. It’s a golden opportunity for all those preparing for the shadi season ahead. The sale will be live from November 8 to 12.
Edenrobe 40 percent sales
Edenrobe, a high street clothing brand, is offering an alluring 40 percent discount on its winter products and an end-of-the-season sale on summer products. The brand has an affordable range for students and those with lower budgets. The offer is available both in stores and online.
Gul Ahmed Ideas 11.11
Gul Ahmed Ideas 11.11 Sale is offering discounts on men’s, children’s, and women’s collections from unstitched to pret. There are 40-50 percent discounts available on all the collections including bedsheets, bathrobes, and footwear as well.
One.pk 11.11
One.pk is a brand to look out for. The glam brand is offering 30-50 percent discounts on men, women and kids’ wear. The products are all chic, high-quality winter wardrobes of both luxurious and street fashion. Shoes, denim, shirts, shorts, and trousers are calling all the western wear lovers.
Heels 11.11 Blockbuster Sales
Heels are offering excellent discounts on classical winter footwear while there is a flat 50 percent off for a number of products including heels, flats, shoes, and sandals. However, from November 8-12, there is 23 percent off on the entire stock.
Diners 11.11
Known for comfy clothes for men, women, and kids, Diners.pk is also offering a flat 25 percent off on all products. The products, western and traditional, are available in all sizes while children’s items are at a 50 percent discount.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a petition against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, accusing him of land grabbing.
During a hearing on a human rights case against the former Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa heard the plea.
#BREAKING: Explosive petition by top city owner Moeez Ahmed Khan against the then DG #ISI lt Gen (r) #FaizHameed, ISI brigadiers Naeem Fakhor and Ghaffar and many others of robbery, blackmailing and extortion of billions of rupees. Details in vlog shortly after the hearing… pic.twitter.com/4eBPgqUdSz
Disposing of the petition, the Supreme Court told the petitioner that he had other relevant forums to approach.
“The Supreme Court has disposed of the petition without discussing the merits of the case,” it added.
The additional attorney general said that the petitioner can refer to the Ministry of Defence and retired military officers can also be court-martialled, said the top court.
Justice Athar Minallah emphasized the distinction between the human rights cell and the Supreme Court, stating that the cell lacked legal authority or status.
The petitioner’s claims centered on the alleged illegal actions of the former spy chief, which were purportedly aimed at gaining control of a housing project.
The petitioner urged the federal government to take action against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and requested the court’s permission to present evidence for his arguments.
CJP Isa noted the seriousness of the allegations and inquired whether the petitioner would appear in the case personally or through a lawyer.
The petitioner mentioned that he had recently engaged a lawyer and requested an adjournment to prepare.
However, CJP Isa remarked that the court will not order an adjournment and instructed the counsel to prepare for the case.
The Supreme Court ultimately directed the petitioner to seek other appropriate forums for their grievance.
The court also mentioned the option of approaching the Defense Ministry in the case of allegations against a retired army officer.
The Petition
A housing society’s CEO filed a petition with the human rights cell (HRC) of the Supreme Court seeking action against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed over alleged land grabbing and stealing valuables.
جنرل فیض کے کارنامے !! میرے مُحلے ایف 11 میں 12 مئی 2017 کو نمازِ فجر سے کُچھ دیر پہلے رینجرز کی درجنوں گاڑیوں، ٹرکوں اور ایمبولینسز کا کانوائے ایک سو سے زائد مشین گنوں سے مُسلح سولجرز کے ساتھ داخل ہوا۔ آپریشن کے طے شُدہ پلان کے تحت گاڑیاں ایف 11 کی مُختلف گلیوں میں داخل ہو ئیں…
“On May 12, 2017, my house and office were raided on the orders of General (Rtd) Faiz Hameed. During the raid, valuables and records of our private housing society were stolen,” said the petitioner Moeez Ahmed Khan.
In his petition, Khan said that the purpose of illegal proceedings against him was to take control of TopCity-1, a housing society located at Srinagar Highway in Islamabad.
“After the raid, I along with my five other colleagues were kept in confinement. The federal government should take action against Gen (Rtd) Faiz Hameed, his brother Najaf, and others,” said the petitioner.
A session court in Islamabad has sent former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry to Adiala jail on judicial remand in a fraud case on Wednesday.
After the end of a one-day physical remand, Fawad Chaudhry was brought before the judicial magistrate, Yasir Mehmood.
The former minister’s council, Qamar Inayat, requested that the court remove his client’s handcuffs, to which the court agreed.
The lawyer asked for time to hold consultations, upon which the court ordered a 15-minute break.
After the break, Fawad Chaudhry told the court that it’s the third hearing, but a complainant has not been presented. After that, the court announced its decision to send Chaudhry on a 14-day judicial remand to Adiala jail.
Later, Fawad Chaudhry said in his media talk that Nawaz Sharif should play a role in decreasing political tension.
November is about to become an exciting month for Pakistani audiences with the upcoming Pak-Turkish collaboration ‘Kudüs Fatihi Selahaddin Eyyubi’, an exploration of the life of Ayyubid Dynasty founder Saladin, set for release. This is the first time Pakistani and Turkish actors are collaborating together for a drama, with veteran actors Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui and Pakistani film producers Dr. Kashif Ansari and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah.
Siddiqui shared a teaser of the upcoming series which will pay homage to the legacy of Selahaddin Eyyubi and how his goal was to unite Syria, Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia territories under his rule.
“He was a man with exceptional courage, deep sense of justice, and a symbol of honour and bravery. Here’s an ode to his chivalry, nobility, military prowess, and his ability to unite the Islamic world during the Crusades as we bring alive the legacy of Selahaddin Eyyubi on November 13, at 9PM on TRT.”
Adnan previously shared the official poster on his Instagram account which featured main actors Ugur Gunes, Dilin Doger and Mehmet Ali Nuroglu. In the caption, the actor wrote:
“Transport yourself to the 12th century and immerse in the extraordinary saga of Selahaddin Eyubbi, the revered warrior and the founding sultan of Egypt and Syria. The Selahaddin Eyubbi series is set to premiere on TRT, airing every Monday at 9 PM starting November 13th, bringing to life the awe-inspiring story of the sultan.”
Speaking to Independent Urdu, producers Dr Kashif Ansari and Dr Junaid Ali Shah of Ansari & Shah Films said:
“The idea to make a series on [Salahuddin] came about because he was a history-making undisputed ruler in the history of Muslims, admired and respected by Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” opined Dr Ansari.
“This series isn’t meant to be just for the Muslims or Pakistanis or Turkish people. It’s meant to show a great Muslim ruler whose courage, bravery and just nature was appreciated by his opponents as well,” he further stressed.
Junaid Ali Shah further elaborated that the target of the show’s audience is mostly the six billion non-Muslims who were unaware of the work of Muslim rulers.
A show cause notice issued by NED University of Engineering and Technology has surfaced online, which censures students for collecting funds for Palestine, terming it an act “tantamount to misconduct”, and asking the students to give an explanation within seven days.
The official notice explains that a body of engineering students, assumed to be representing a political party, was collecting donations for Palestine funds without permission from a competent authority on October 25. This is seen as a violation of Discipline, Conduct, Welfare, and Code of Honour. The students now have to present their case before a university committee to provide an explanation as to why they should not be punished.
The legal saga surrounding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s jail trial and the controversial cipher case took center stage in Islamabad this week.
On Tuesday, three witnesses provided their testimonies against the PTI chief and his party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Judge Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings at Adiala jail under the special Official Secrets Act court. PTI legal representatives included Barristers Salman Safdar, Taimur, and Gohar Ali Khan, while special prosecutors comprised of Shah Khawar, Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, and Raja Rizwan Abbasi.
During the proceedings, PTI’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, representing Khan, raised concerns over the trial’s confined space within the jail premises, emphasizing that it wasn’t in line with legal protocols.
Family members met the two leaders before witnesses’ statements and cross-examination were conducted; legal teams consulted with Khan and Qureshi. The PTI chief met with his wife Bushra Bibi and sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khanum, and Uzma Khan, within the jail premises.
Qureshi’s daughter, Meharbano, was also present during the trial. She also spoke with the media outside the jail, and demanded justice and a fair trial for her father.
“Let the family in; no one can have security concerns from their family. Fair trial is my father’s right and as a daughter, I have the right to see the trial,” she added.
Contempt of court petition
Adiala jail superintendent responded to the contempt of court petition filed by Khan on Wednesday, requesting the court to dismiss the contempt of court petition.
“Can’t even think of disobeying the court order,” he stated in his reply.
The superintendent told the court there is no permanent facility to make phone calls abroad on WhatsApp. He informed the court that the PTI chief spoke with his children on October 18, after the jail took special measures to make the call possible.
“Arrangements are made for prisoners to speak with family and lawyers at the jail PCO,” he said, adding that the court can direct the Punjab Home Department to amend the rules with regard to making phone calls.
The court, meanwhile, adjourned the hearing of the contempt petition till Monday due to the absence of Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.
Islamabad High Court
Islamabad High Court’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb asked the Attorney General of Pakistan to ensure that the cipher case trial was not conducted in an inappropriate manner, otherwise, it might collapse like a house of cards.
An IHC bench, comprising Justice Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, heard the intra-court appeal filed by Khan against his jail trial and the appointment of the special court’s judge in the cipher case.
The court adjourned the proceedings to November 14, allowing time for the attorney general to present arguments.
Nawaz wants his own umpires
Talking to media persons outside Adiala Jail, Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Umair Niazi said the PTI chief had criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and also rejected the trial of civilians in military courts.
The PTI lawyer quoted Mr Khan as saying that Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires and is again looking towards them. All political parties, except the PML-N, are calling for a level playing field, he added.
Khan expressed concern over the fresh wave of terrorism in the country and said this was because of a “weak” Afghan policy as Mr Bhutto-Zardari, being the foreign minister, did not visit Kabul to address the issue of terrorism.
Ehsan, a 9-year-old domestic worker, was allegedly sodomized and then murdered by his employer Shan Ali, an estate agent, in Lahore. The employer claims that the boy committed suicide by hanging himself.
The incident occurred in Baghbanpura, Lahore on Tuesday as per the police. A murder case has been lodged while Shan has been nominated in the FIR on the complaint of the child’s mother, Nawab Bibi.
The child, a resident of Kasur, was sent to work as a house help at Shan’s residence some five years ago. According to the mother, her brother-in-law, Imran, used to collect wages from the employer while family members were not allowed to meet the boy. They met him only once in five years. The suspect himself called the family to inform them that the boy has taken his own life. Reportedly, the alleged killer shifted the body to the morgue before the boy’s parents arrived at his home. She told the police that her son was sodomized and then hanged by Shan.
The alleged murderer has already fled the scene, while the police is in search of the suspect.
Amidst the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, the media is uncovering instances of families getting ripped apart.
One such story is that of Bilal and Rabia in Karachi, who are now facing the risk of separation after 15 years of marriage, Geo has reported.
Bilal, born to immigrant Afghan parents in 1988, has lived all his life in Karachi. Rabia, originally from DG Khan, used to live in the same locality as Bilal. The two fell in love.
Bilal talked to his parents to ask for her hand in marriage, however, his brothers threatened to cut all ties with him if he married a Pakistani girl. Unfazed by their sentiments, he married Rabia. Bilal’s brothers left for Afghanistan and Rabia’s family gave them their consent and blessings.
Fifteen years on, the two are happy and Bilal is also taking care of his widowed mother-in-law and a divorced sister-in-law. In the wake of Afghan expulsion from the country, fear is looming over the couple’s minds constantly. Despite every effort to get Bilal a CNIC, he has not got one in all these years and the couple is determined to get it through a legal route.
Addressing this predicament, Bilal said, “I heard about the directive from the Peshawar High Court to grant identity cards to Afghan nationals married to Pakistani citizens. I joined the struggle in light of this landmark judgment. Unfortunately, it did not yield results. I regret not taking this matter more seriously at first. I was unaware that lacking an identity card in Pakistan could lead to separation from our families. My roots are in this country, and I have a deep affection for it. Regardless of legal decisions, our financial commitments are in Pakistan, and even if we are deported, our homeland will remain Pakistan.”
Rabia said, “My husband’s brothers have not accepted us in the fifteen years of our marriage. They even threatened us, saying if you return, we will harm you. I am worried for my husband because he is my only support. As for myself, why should I go anywhere? I am a Pakistani. They are not my people, and neither is Afghanistan my homeland.”
The couple, parents to five children, urged the government to review its decision or reconsider its policies regarding cases like their own.
