Tag: Supreme Court

  • ‘Want to get access to his Peer’: Usman Buzdar’s expected comeback sparks a meme fest

    ‘Want to get access to his Peer’: Usman Buzdar’s expected comeback sparks a meme fest

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday in its decision on a presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution, which is related to the status of defecting lawmakers, said the votes of defecting lawmakers will not be counted.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters started celebrating the ‘expected’ comeback of Usman Buzdar by removing the current Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

    The memes in relevance to Buzdar are hilarious.

    Seems like the Peer baba’s business is about to boom.

    Some questioned the short tenure of Hamza Shehbaz.

    Some declared Buzdar as the real danger.

    Some said Hamza might be a good player but Buzdar is the real coach.

    Some wished for the same luck as that of Buzdar.

    Some showed how Buzdar will make an entry at the CM House.

  • ‘Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai’: Khan scolds Afridi at a jalsa

    ‘Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai’: Khan scolds Afridi at a jalsa

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan during his jalsa in Kohat scolded Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Afridi, and said that the arrangements he made for the jalsa were weak.

    “Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai. Lights hi nahin hain, loug nazar nahin aa rahay,” said Khan. [Shehryar Afridi your arrangements are so weak. There are no lights, I can’t see people properly].

    “I cannot see half the stadium, so give the arrangements to someone else from now on,” added Khan.

    The PTI chairman praised the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on 63-A and said the apex court with the verdict has ensured Pakistan’s morality does not diminish.

    “I am thankful that the Supreme Court rejected the votes of the people who sell their vote and betray their constituents and democracy,” the ex-prime minister said.

    Khan said that “Allah has not given us the choice to remain neutral” and stressed that there was no intermediate way. 

  • Acquittal by High Court: SC dismisses customs appeal against Czech model in drug case

    Acquittal by High Court: SC dismisses customs appeal against Czech model in drug case

    A Supreme Court bench on Wednesday dismissed the Customs appeal in drug smuggling case against Czech model Tereza Hluskova after summary hearing, reported ARY News.

    “Did the customs had sent samples of heroin recovered from the accused to lab according to the law,” Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned while hearing the case. “The trial court had declared dispatch of the samples lawful,” Customs lawyer replied. “The accused destined to fly out to Czech Republic on April 23,” the lawyer further said.

    “The name of the accused can be added to the ‘stop list’ if the case have substantial grounds,” Justice Ahsan remarked.

    The apex court bench upheld the high court’s acquittal decision of Czech model Tereza Hluskova.

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan had yesterday stopped Hluskova from travelling abroad in drug smuggling case.

    The Czech national was sentenced to eight years and eight months in jail by a sessions court in April 2019. She was arrested at Lahore airport for attempting to smuggle heroin from Pakistan to Abu Dhabi on January 10, 2018.

    The high court acquitted her last year in November and was released from prison the same month.

  • ‘Pakistan’s nuclear programme in the hands of ‘thieves’, Khan questions institutions about safety of nukes

    ‘Pakistan’s nuclear programme in the hands of ‘thieves’, Khan questions institutions about safety of nukes

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday asked the institutions if ‘thieves’, who have come into power through a ‘foreign conspiracy’ and are ‘slaves’, can protect Pakistan’s nuclear programme. He was addressing a rally in Peshawar.

    In his first public address since losing his government, Khan directly addressed the judiciary and asked: “My dear judges, my judiciary, I have spent time in jail because of your freedom because I dream that one day the judiciary would stand with the weak people of the society, and not the powerful. I ask the judiciary that when you opened the court in the dead of night … this nation has known me for 45 years. Have I ever broken the law? When I played cricket, did anyone ever accuse me of match-fixing?”

    “During my 25 years of politics, I have never provoked the public against state institutions or the judiciary because my life and death are in Pakistan. I ask you, what crime had I exactly committed that you opened up the courts at midnight?” questioned Khan.

    “I will live and die for Pakistan.”

    The PTI chairman also warned that he was not that dangerous while he was part of the government, but now that he has been ousted, he will become “more dangerous” for the Opposition.

    “We will not accept an imported government and people have shown what they want by holding demonstrations against the move,” he said.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is out on bail, his son is out on bail, Nawaz Sharif is a convict, and his son is an absconder in London and the same is the case with his sons, daughter, and son-in-law.”

    “America has insulted Pakistan by imposing these bandits on us; Shehbaz Sharif is facing corruption charges of Rs40 billion,” Khan added. “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was sacked through a conspiracy by the USA, but this is not the Pakistan of 1970. This is the new Pakistan.”

    “My youth, get ready, I will be out on the streets with you in every city until we do not force them to hold elections,” he said, adding, “Today marks the beginning of the struggle to find actual freedom.”

  • ‘Imran Khan stumped’: What led Khan to this point?

    ‘Imran Khan stumped’: What led Khan to this point?

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has “stumped” Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan through its historic verdict on April 7. The verdict seems to have cleaned bowled Khan as the National Assembly (NA) was restored after the apex court declared the government’s decision to dissolve the assembly and NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling against the Constitution. This decision is being described as a win for the Constitution of Pakistan.

    In its verdict, the top court has called for convening the NA session on April 9, at 10:00am.

    Court order

    The apex court’s five-member larger bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Aijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel — heard the case and then later issued the ruling. The decision was unanimously given by 5-0 judges.

    Here is what the court order has to say:

    “In consequence of the foregoing, it is declared that at all material times the Prime Minister was under the bar imposed by the Explanation to clause (1) of Article 58 of the Constitution and continues to remain so restricted. He could not, therefore, have at any time advised the President to dissolve the Assembly as contemplated by clause (1) of Article 58.”

    “In consequence of the foregoing, it is declared that the advice tendered by the Prime Minister on or about 03.04.2022 to the President to dissolve the Assembly was contrary to the Constitution and of no legal effect,” said the order.

    The Supreme Court also “declared that the assembly was in existence at all times, and continues to remain and be so”.

    SC ordered for the session of NA to reconvene on Saturday, April 9 no later than 10:30am, saying that the session cannot be prorogued without the conclusion of the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    Pledge to fight for Pakistan “till the last ball”: PM Khan

    After the verdict was announced, PM Khan took to Twitter and said that he pledged to fight for Pakistan till the last ball.

    “I have called a cabinet mtg tomorrow as well as our parliamentary party meeting, and tomorrow evening I will address the nation. My message to our nation is I have always and will continue to fight for Pakistan till the last ball.”

    Government’s reaction to the decision:

    Information and Law minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and said, “This unfortunate decision has exacerbated the political crisis in Pakistan.”

    “Immediate elections could have brought stability to the country. Unfortunately, the importance of the people has been overlooked,” said Chaudhry.

    Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari tweeted, “A judicial coup happened last night down to ordering how & even at what time NA session must be held, ending parliamentary supremacy!”

    In another tweet, Mazari wrote, “The long shadows hanging over this judicial decision think the game has been won but frankly it has just started.”

    Special Assistant to the PM Dr Shahbaz Gill said, “Our forefathers cut off their necks in 1947 and crossed the Wagah border to live in an independent country.”

    “Looks like they’re back in the 1947 situation,” said Gill.

    Opposition’s reaction to the SCP ruling

    Reacting to the decision of the top court, the Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Mubarak to all who supported, defended & campaigned for the supremacy of the Constitution. Today, politics of lies, deceit & allegations has been buried.”

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter and celebrated the Opposition’s win by writing: “Democracy is the best revenge.”

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz said, “Congratulations to Pakistan for getting rid of the most incompetent and most failed government.”

    Timeline of the events since April 3

    The legal battle against NA dissolution raged on for five consecutive days.

    April 3:

    National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on April 3 said that the no-confidence motion, presented on March 8, should be according to the law and the Constitution. “No foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy,” he said, adding that the points raised by the law minister about Article 5 were “valid”.

    After Suri on Sunday “dismissed” the no-confidence motion against PM Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution, the legal war began. PM Khan then addressed the nation, saying he had advised President Dr Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly, which the President approved. 

    CJP Umar Ata Bandial took suo motu of the dismissal of the no-confidence motion.

    April 4:

    On Monday, April 4 the CJP had remarked that the court would issue a “reasonable order on the issue”, but the hearing was adjourned after Farooq H. Naek, the counsel of PPP and other Opposition parties, presented his arguments.

    April 5:

    The Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 5 sought a record of the National Assembly proceedings conducted on the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan and adjourned the proceedings till April 6.

    PPP Senator Raza Rabbani quoted media reports about the ECP had said it was not possible to hold general elections within three months. However, the ECP denied issuing any statement concerning elections.

    April 6:

    CJP Bandial on Wednesday, April 6, said, “We first want to wrap up the case on what happened in the NA on April 3,” the CJP remarked.

    The chief justice said that “negative statements” are being issued against the court and it is being said that the court is delaying the matter.

    April 7:

    The court, in its short order, on Thursday, April 7, ruled that the deputy speaker’s ruling was “contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect, and the same are hereby set aside”.

  • ‘Return to April 3’: Twitter hails Supreme court’s verdict

    ‘Return to April 3’: Twitter hails Supreme court’s verdict

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has declared the National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling on the dismissal of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan as unconstitutional and illegal.

    The session chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and the five-member bench has 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. They will now face the no-confidence motion on Saturday, April 9th 2022.

    This is how Pakistani social media reacted to the decision:

  • ‘Unconstitutional’: What else did the Supreme Court say?

    ‘Unconstitutional’: What else did the Supreme Court say?

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has declared the National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling on the dismissal of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan as unconstitutional and illegal.

    The session chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and the five-member bench has 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. They will now face the no-confidence motion on Saturday April 9th 2022.

    “The deputy speaker gave a ruling on April 3. Leave was granted on the no-confidence motion on March 28. The ruling of the speaker is declared unconstitutional,” Justice Bandial declared.

    Chief Justice Bandial also said the verdict was announced with an unanimous agreement of 5-0 after the judges consulted each other.

    The apex court has also ordered a lower house session to vote on no-trust against PM Khan on April 9th, 2022 [Saturday] at 10 am, saying that the session cannot be adjourned without the conclusion of the no-trust motion and the government cannot interfere in the participation of any Member of National Assembly in the assembly session.

    Ahead of the verdict, SC summoned Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja. Prior to the verdict, PM Khan called a party meeting at Banigala.

    The short order by the SC is as follows:

  • VIDEO: ‘Kiraye pay aatay hain’, Fawad Chaudhry’s heated phadda with journalist

    VIDEO: ‘Kiraye pay aatay hain’, Fawad Chaudhry’s heated phadda with journalist

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry, while speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, lost his cool and called journalist Matiullah Jan “kiraye ka aadmi [ a hired man]. The statement of the former minister came as he was questioned about First Lady Bushra Bibi’s friend Farah Khan.

    Here is what happened.

    Fawad Chaudhry: “I will take questions later … Commando Saab one minute …. Statement of facts has been submitted by Prime Minister…”

    Matiullah can be heard speaking in the background, “Where did Farah Khan go? Why did she run away from the country?”

    READ MORE: Who’s Farah Khan, why is she the talk of the net?

    Fawad Chaudhry: “Yaar let me talk. Let me talk.” the journalist says let me ask one question, Fawad says, “This will not happen.”

    Matiullah Jan: “Where did Farah go?”

    Fawad Chaudhry: “I will talk first, and then you will speak.”

    Matiullah kept asking his questions and that’s when Fawad called him out and said, “Kiraye pay aatay hain is tarha kay loug, [People like him are hired].”

    Matiullah got angry at being called ” a hired man” and then said that it was actually Fawad who is a ‘kiraye ka tattu,” [a hired fool] and that’s when the heated argument geared up.

    Fawad and Matiullah abusing each other

    Though other journalists tried to settle the matter, both Fawad and Matiullah hurled continuous derogatory remarks and abusive words at each other.

    Fawad was asked to apologise but refused. His refusal to offer an apology ended up with journalists announcing that they are boycotting media talks of all PTI leaders.

  • Usman Mirza, four others sentenced to life in prison in couple harassment case

    Usman Mirza, four others sentenced to life in prison in couple harassment case

    An Islamabad district and sessions court has sentenced Usman Mirza and four others to life imprisonment in the case of harassment and assaulting of a couple in Islamabad. The four accomplices include Mohib Bangash, Adaras Qayyum Butt, Hafiz Ataur Rehman and Farhan Shaheen. Meanwhile, Umar Bilal and Rehan Hassan Mughal were acquitted.

    Judge Atta Rabbani announced the verdict.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that despite the fact that the couple retracted their statements, the use of technology as evidence in the case is welcoming.

    Read more- Usman Mirza Case: Couple refuses to recognise accused persons, reportedly took one crore in deal

    The minister also added that justice will prevail in Sialkot and other cases too.

    The case was highlighted last year in July when a video of Usman Mirza harassing a couple went viral on social media. Mirza was arrested on July 7 after the disturbing video went viral on social media where he could be seen torturing and assaulting a couple. He was also seen stripping the woman in the video. On January 11, the female victim refused to identify any of the accused and said she does not want to pursue the case, after which the state decided to pursue prosecution.

  • ‘The battle should be fought inside Assembly’: SC

    ‘The battle should be fought inside Assembly’: SC

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard a plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Monday about the lawful proceeding of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA).

    During the hearing, which was attended by three bigwigs of the Opposition — PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, SCBA counsel argued that NA Speaker Asad Qaiser summoned the session 17 days after the submission of the no-confidence motion. However, according to Article 95, the session has to be called within 14 days.

    He further argued that the no-confidence motion could not be adjourned before voting. To this, CJ observed that it is an “internal matter” and it would be “better if the assembly’s fight is fought inside the assembly”.

    Justice Bandial further remarked that the court will not interfere in the assembly’s proceedings.

    Moreover, SC said that no one can be prevented from voting by bringing people. About the upcoming marches, the court added that the Opposition will keep the same distance as the government’s from parliament.

    According to the SC, a member’s individual vote has no “status”. Justice Munib Akhtar said after joining a political party, a member’s vote is considered a “collective” right.

    The petition, which was filed by SCBA says circumstances involving a confrontation between the government and the Opposition could trigger an “anarchic situation” in the country.

    About the recent Sindh House attack, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Qazi Jamilur Rehman gave the incident’s briefing to the court.

    Chief Justice Bandial remarked that what happened at the Sindh House did “not seem to be the police’s failure”.

    “The main issue is related to stopping Members of National Assembly (MNAs) from voting,” he said.

    Before the hearing, Bilawal Bhutto avoided making any political statement. Meanwhile, Maulana Fazl said that it is the first time that he is appearing before the SC.

    “This government is illegitimate. Do you want to create sympathy for such an incompetent government,” Fazl asked.