Tag: PTI

  • ‘Black Day’: National Security Committee endorses use of Army, Official Secret Acts against 9 May protesters

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), with the moot being attended by federal ministers, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the three services chiefs, heads of security institutions and senior officers.

    The meeting endorsed the decision to book violent protesters of May 9, under the constitution and relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.

    The PM, while addressing the meeting said, “Those who planned, executed and abetted the vandalism on May 9 certainly committed an act of terrorism.”

    It was also decided in the meeting that May 09 will be celebrated as Black Day. “Whatever happened on May 9 will be remembered as Black Day in the history of Pakistan,” the PM added.

    A Special Corps Commander Conference held on Monday at the General Headquarters (GHQ), presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act.

  • Imran Khan cannot be arrested before May 31: IHC

    Imran Khan cannot be arrested before May 31: IHC

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended bail for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan till May 31.

    The decision was made during a hearing of PTI’s plea to provide details of more than 100 cases in which Imran is booked.

    The former Prime Minister was represented by Barrister Gohar in court today. The government’s attorney asked for extra time to disclose details regarding the charges brought against the PTI chief.

    The court, while approving the request of the government’s attorney, postponed the hearing until May 31, passing orders not to arrest Imran Khan until then.

    Earlier IHC, barred authorities from arresting Imran Khan till May 17 in any new case registered against him after May 9.

  • ‘Aik lafz nahin bola’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter disappointed in IK for not speaking up for her mother

    ‘Aik lafz nahin bola’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter disappointed in IK for not speaking up for her mother

    Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, appeared on Spot Light at AajTv with Munizae Jahangir on Tuesday, where she expressed her disappointment in PTI chief Imran Khan for not speaking up about the arrest, which she labels as an abduction.

    During the show, the anchor asked Imaan if Imran Khan had shown any support to her upon her mother’s arrest. The human rights activist replied, “I’m very disappointed, even though my mother always stood by Imran Khan, he did not utter a single word at her abduction”.

    During the show Imaan further revealed that instead of releasing her mother from Adiala Jail, the Islamabad police abducted her and took her to another police station.

    She continued by saying that she reached the secretariat police station after she received unverified information about her mother’s location with her lawyer.

    When she reached there, officials asked her to go to and meet G-11 Superintendent, but Imaan said that she entered the police station forcefully screaming her mother’s name and she then saw her mother behind prison shouting that she was being beaten. Imaan said that her mother advised her to leave the police station.

    She told the anchor that officials dragged her out, adding that she is unsure of what really happened.

    Shireen Mazari was arrested by the police in the early hours of the previous Friday. Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday deemed the detention of Shireen under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) as unlawful and ordered her immediate release. However, she was arrested again by police shortly after her release from Adiala Jail. In a tweet, Imaan Mazari said that she does not know about the whereabouts of her mother.

  • Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has clarified that he uses the phrase “good to see you” to greet everyone.

    During a hearing of another case, the CJP had an interaction with lawyer Asghar Sabzwari on Tuesday afternoon. He initiated the exchange by saying, “I am pleased to see you as you have appeared in my court after a considerable period.”

    The remark came after the judge was heavily criticised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), analysts and commentators for saying “good to see you” to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan when he appeared before the court after being arrested.

    Bandial then said that he says “good to see you” to everyone, not just to Imran Khan. He said that he had faced a lot of criticism for using the phrase. Justice Bandial said he holds a deep respect for everyone, adding that “etiquette and manners” are necessary for everyone.

    PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, however, remained unimpressed with the Chief Justice’s explanation. Addressing Justice Bandial in a tweet, she asked if he says ‘good to see you’ to everyone who has stolen billions.

    She went on to ask, “Do you send everyone to rest houses,” adding another question about whether the Chief Justice allows every suspect to meet friends in the guest house as he did for Imran Khan.

    Last week, when Imran Khan appeared before Supreme Court to get relief against his arrest, the CJP said “good to see you”. His comment became a point of controversy with many arguing that special treatment was given to Khan.

     

  • ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared on Geo News’ programme ‘Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Monday. During the programme, Asif said that the decision to try Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers under the Pakistan Army Act was yet to be made.

    While talking about charging the protesters, the minister said, “If not the Army Act, then should we try them under ‘hooliganism act’?”

    “They will face the law for whatever they have done. No one will go scot-free, not even Imran Khan,” he added.

    The minister also clarified that the government has no plans to ban PTI.

    A Corps Commander Conference held in Rawalpindi on Monday, decided that the rioters who attacked military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, will be tried under the Army Act and Official Secret Act.

  • PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    A Special Corps Commander Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act. The statement released by the ISPR after the Corps Commanders meeting is not just unprecedented but is being seen as a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    In a statement, Aurat March Lahore said: “Use of military laws and courts to try civilians, the complete absence of due process, transparency and accountability flies in the face of the pretence of democracy under the current PDM regime… State institutions and monuments are not more important than people’s fundamental rights and lives. Respect must be earned through actions, not through the force of draconian laws.”

    It must be noted that if convicted under the Army Act, a person can be sentenced to life imprisonment or be handed a death sentence. Pakistan is going through one of its worst crises ever with the entire system tethering on the brink of collapse. From the military establishment to the judicial establishment, all institutions have lost their credibility. It is high time that political parties and parliament take charge of the situation and make sure that the law is followed instead of going down the path of military trials which offer no transparency.

    A word of caution: if the PDM government go down this path and allows civilian rioters to be tried under military laws, the same will one day be applied to their leadership, their supporters and workers. We have seen history repeat itself too many times to not learn a lesson. Democracy is not about punishing your opponents; it is about ensuring that no one is targeted unjustly for their political views. Rioters, when identified, should be prosecuted as per the law of the land in courts, not military courts. If PTI justified arbitrary arrests, detentions and draconian punishments, PDM should refrain from doing so. Politics isn’t about personal enmity.

  • National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    The National Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a motion seeking the formation of a special committee to file a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for “misconduct and deviating from oath”.

    During a fiery session, lawmakers strongly condemned attacks on military installations and state buildings across the country.

    Speaking on the floor of the house, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the time had come for the Parliament to play its constitutional role in the prevailing political crisis.

    “The time has come for the Parliament to send a reference of misconduct to the Supreme Judicial Council, under the authority and law given to it by the Constitution,” Asif stated unequivocally.

    He stressed that recently a section of the judiciary had started supporting a political party.

    The reference motion was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Dr Shazia Sobia.

    The parliamentarians also demanded that PTI Chairman Imran Khan be tried under the Army Act.

    Last week, Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, prompted his supporters to come out on roads in support of their leader. They have been alleged to have not just damaged properties but also use inappropriate language for top military officials.

  • Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    While hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea to revisit its April 4 order on Punjab polls, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, said on Monday that both government and Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) should resume talks.

    Justice Bandial said that the constitution guaranteed political rights. “We don’t want to get into political matters and we don’t want to hear anything. We hope that negotiations will start anew and a solution will be reached.”

    The hearing is now adjourned till next Tuesday.

    On April 4, the SC said that Punjab polls will be held on May 14, however, the date has passed without elections taking place.

    It is pertinent to mention that prior to this govt and PTI tried to talk this matter out but no consensus took place.

  • PM Shehbaz will visit Corps Commander House in Lahore to show unity

    PM Shehbaz will visit Corps Commander House in Lahore to show unity

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will visit Lahore today to examine the aftermath of the protests Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held in the Cantt area.

    Along with Interim Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi, he will visit the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore, with the PM scheduled to go to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to meet injured officials in order to show his support to the army.

    It is pertinent to mention that after PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, many of his supporters barged into the Corps Commander’s House and damaged the property, burning the building and looting personal possessions.

    The Corps Commander House is Jinnah House, a property owned by the founder of the country which he willed to the state.

    In an unusually harsh-worded statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that May 9 would go down in history as a “dark chapter”.

  • Neither martial law nor emergency, army and govt clear rumours

    Neither martial law nor emergency, army and govt clear rumours

    Amid the violent protests and political chaos, many political commentators feared that either the army will take over or an emergency would be imposed by the government.

    However, federal ministers and Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry laid the rumors to rest on Friday evening.

    Talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, the DG ISPR said that the imposition of martial law is out of the question as the whole army wholeheartedly supports democracy and will continue to do so.

    In response to unverified reports that army officers have resigned due to the ongoing chaos, the spokesperson snubbed the speculations, categorically stating that not one person had resigned.

    After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters attacked army installations, the ISPR said that May 9, 2023, would go down in history as a “dark chapter”.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also rebutted news regarding the “imposition of emergency” in the country.

    “The reports circulating in the media regarding the imposition of emergency in the country are baseless,” she said, adding that no such decision was taken in the meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the minister said in news statement.

    The information minister urged the media to verify facts before airing or publishing any news.

    A day earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that an emergency is a constitutional option but there is no chance of imposing martial law.

    According to media reports, the cabinet proposed an emergency to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif but no final decision took place.