Tag: TheCurrent

  • Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    The Supreme Court has, by a majority of 5-1, suspended its October 23 order that declared the trials of civilians in military courts null and void regarding the May 9 riots.

    The decision came in response to intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the federal and provincial governments, as well as the defense ministry, challenging the earlier verdict.

    A six-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan heard the set of intra-court appeals.

    Justice Hilali differed with the majority decision.

    On October 23, a five-member apex court bench headed by Justice Ahsan unanimously admitted the pleas and nullified the government’s decision to try civilians in military courts in connection with the May 9 riots which erupted after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-then chairman Imran Khan.

    Four judges out of the five declared that Section 2(1)(d) of the Army Act and 59(4) (civil offences) are “ultra vires the Constitution and of no legal effect”.

    “Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the trials of civilians and accused persons, being around 103 persons […] shall be tried by criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary and/or special law of the land in relation to such offences of which they may stand accused,” the short order read.

    Following its verdict, the federal and the provincial governments along with the defence ministry filed intra-court appeals (ICAs). However, the caretaker government of Sindh refused to file any plea against the SC order.

    Justice Masood, who faced objections regarding his inclusion in the bench, refused to recuse himself.

    Former Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and others had raised concerns about Justice Masood’s previous expressions on the matter, but the judge maintained his position.

    The Supreme Court’s recent decision to suspend the October 23 verdict means that the trials of 103 civilians will continue, with the final ruling conditional upon the Supreme Court’s subsequent orders.

  • Mizna Waqas was wrongly told by doctors that her unborn baby had died

    Mizna Waqas was wrongly told by doctors that her unborn baby had died

    Pakistani actress Mizna Waqas revealed her personal struggles with her pregnancy during a recent interview on a digital platform. Best known for her role as Fazila in Geo TV’s drama ‘Mannat Murad,’ Mizna shared insights into career challenges and personal life. The actress disclosed that she faced criticism initially due to her fair complexion. “In the early days of her career, roles were assigned based on skin colour,” Mizna revealed.
    Talking about pursuing a master’s degree before diving into acting, Mizna said she followed her dreams.

    Moving on to personal milestones, she said that she became a mother eight years into her marriage. In 2019, she welcomed her son Ahil, after experiencing three miscarriages.
    During her fourth pregnancy in 2018, Mizna went through a harrowing ordeal when doctors at a famous hospital initially gave her unborn baby a negative prognosis, saying that the baby’s vital signs were not there and suggesting that the pregnancy be terminated. But after seeking a second opinion and getting another ultrasound, Mizna was shocked to find out that her baby was actually alive and healthy. “When the doctor showed me the second ultrasound, the baby was alive. The doctor even showed me the heartbeat. I was surprised why the last doctor told me that the baby was dead,” the actress shared.

    Her mother’s support was crucial during this difficult time. She encouraged Mizna to get a second opinion, and it turned out to be a game-changer.

    The actress’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by women, both in the entertainment industry and in their personal lives. Mizna’s resilience and determination to pursue her passion despite criticism, as well as her journey through pregnancy struggles, make for a compelling and inspiring narrative.

  • What is the ‘Farah Gogi fiasco’?

    What is the ‘Farah Gogi fiasco’?

    The disclosed assets of Farhat Shahzadi, also known as Farah Gogi, alleged to be the front person of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, surged by an astonishing Rs4.52 billion between 2017 and 2020, a report by Express News has stated. 

    The revelations, made public on Thursday, suggest widespread corruption involving Shahzadi, a close associate of Imran Khan and his wife, former First Lady Bushra Bibi. 

    The details of Farah Gogi’s assets were made public by journalist Zahid Gishkori in 2022, who was associated with Samaa News at that time.

    Farah Gogi, who confessed to owning assets worth Rs950 million in 2020, saw a staggering 420% increase in her declared assets during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. 

    The report alleges that she also possesses undisclosed assets amounting to Rs3.82 billion.

    The disclosed assets, as per the report, include agricultural land in Bahawalpur and Gujranwala, residential and commercial properties in Islamabad and Lahore, and 200 kanals of agricultural land in Chakri. 

    Furthermore, investigations revealed her involvement in crimes such as money laundering, with accusations of working as a fake doctor in the UK alongside her husband.

    The report claims that Gogi took advantage of the tax amnesty scheme in 2018, regularizing Rs489 million in black money collected through bribes for various postings, transfers, and government contracts. 

    The report further alleges that Gogi received 240 kanals of land as a bribe from a property tycoon involved in an out-of-court settlement with the UK’s National Crime Agency.

    According to the report, the number of Gogi’s bank accounts showed a significant abnormal increase from 2019 to 2021, with Rs426 million deposited in one account through 47 transactions from 2018 to 2022. 

    In total, 102 bank accounts linked to Gogi, her husband, and associates across the country were identified, with a sum of Rs14.5 billion.

    In response to these allegations, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Central Deputy General Secretary Ataullah Tarar held a press conference in Lahore, accusing Gogi and others of engaging in corruption. 

    He urged Gogi to return to Pakistan and testify about Imran Khan’s involvement.

    Imran Khan’s lawyer, Sher Afzal Marwat, dismissed the allegations as a new wave of propaganda against Bushra Bibi, Imran’s wife. 

    Marwat emphasized the need to avoid further political unrest in Pakistan.

    Secret foreign passport

    Recent developments indicate that Farah Gogi used a secret foreign passport to travel abroad for the alleged purpose of laundering wealth belonging to Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi as per Geo News.

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered a money-laundering and kickbacks case against Gogi in March, with her bank accounts reportedly holding over Rs14 billion.

    Meanwhile, Gogi sent a legal notice to the NAB chairman, FIA DG, Punjab IG, and Anti-Corruption Department (ACE) DG on the issue of leaking her property details.

    According to the fresh reports, Gogi used to travel abroad on the passport of Vanuatu, a string of more than 80 islands once known as the New Hebrides which is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

    The sources also claimed that the son of a property tycoon had been given the task of arranging a secret international passport for Gogi. The property tycoon’s son paid $130,000 to a renowned trader to obtain the passport.

    On March 28, 2022, the secret passport was handed over to Gogi, the sources added.

    In order to get her escape from accountability, Gogi was sent abroad on a Pakistani passport just six days before the Khan-led government was toppled. 

    In a bid to dodge the investigation agencies, she travelled abroad on a foreign passport, except Dubai.

  • Supreme Court declares trial of civilians in military courts null and void

    Supreme Court declares trial of civilians in military courts null and void

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday has declared trials of civilians in military courts null and void.

    A five-member bench of the Supreme Court has announced its decision on applications challenging the military trial of civilians involved in the May 9 riots.

    In the short verdict, the court ordered that 102 individuals detained under the Army Act should face trial in civilian courts. It additionally dictated that any trial of a civilian in a military court is considered invalid.

    The apex court’s bench — headed by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, and comprising of Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik — heard petitions filed by PTI chief Imran Khan and others on Monday.

    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, completed his arguments and he had focused on jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians under the Army Act.

    The day before, the federal government had notified the top court that military trials of civilians had already begun.

  • NAB grills Bushra Bibi for over two and a half hours

    NAB grills Bushra Bibi for over two and a half hours

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) grilled former First Lady, Bushra Bibi, for over two and a half hours during the investigation of the Toshakhana case.

    Bushra Bibi has been accused of keeping a bracelet, earrings, a chain, a pendant and two rings from state gifts while her husband Imran Khan was the Prime Minister. She has also been charged with keeping a watch and gold and diamond jewellery during the same time period, not getting their value assessed fairly or submitting them to the Toshakhana.

    Bushra Bibi appeared before NAB Rawalpindi office where a team questioned her for over two and a half hours.

    Bushra Bibi is currently on bail in the Toshakhana case, after Judge Abul Hasnat of an accountability court granted her bail in the Toshakhana case till September 12, in exchange of surety bonds worth Rs5 lacs.

  • Local singer sings request to PM Kakar, gets his wish

    Local singer sings request to PM Kakar, gets his wish

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has ordered the restoration of the Panjra bridge in the Bolan area of Balochistan, on the poetic appeal of local singer Gul Meer Jamali.

    The bridge was swept away in July 2022 as biblical floods swept across Pakistan.

    “Orders have been issued to the institutions concerned for the reconstruction of Panjara Bridge,” the interim PM wrote on his official X handle on Friday.

    Kakar ordered the restoration of the bridge after listening to the song sung by local singer Gul Meer Jamali.

    The song went viral on social media, with the singer appealing to the PM to restore the bridge and “fulfil his responsibility towards Balochistan”.

    The Panara Bridge was used to pass the Bolan River on the Quetta-Sukkur Highway.

  • JIT to conduct forensic test of audios linked with Bushra Bibi

    JIT to conduct forensic test of audios linked with Bushra Bibi

    The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has decided to test two audios alleged to feature the voice of former first lady Bushra Bibi, in the ToshaKhana case. On Tuesday, the JIT decided to conduct a forensic test of audios as during the investigation, Bushra Bibi has denied that it was her voice.

    The JIT is currently investigating the ToshaKhana case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

    In Bushra Bibi’s recent appearance before the JIT, two audio clips were played for her. After hearing the audio clips, she said that the voice was not her’s.

    In one of the recordings, she is allegedly heard reprimanding someone for taking pictures of the things being brought from Toshakhana to Banigala House. In the second recording, she is talking to the then assistant to the prime minister, Zulfi Bukhari, about the watch at the center of the case, gifted by Saudi Arabia to Imran Khan when he was Prime Minister.

    These audios went viral on social media platforms, igniting a conversation about how involved Bushra Bibi was in the matter.

    It should be noted that Bushra Bibi appeared before the JIT on August 15 and was questioned for 20 minutes. She responded to each of the 20 questions asked by the JIT.

  • ‘Elections not possible before May 2024,’ says former ECP secretary

    ‘Elections not possible before May 2024,’ says former ECP secretary

    According to a former Secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) , Kanwar Dilshad, general elections are not possible before May 2024, stressing that polling will only be possible after nine months.

    He explained his point further while talking to The News that the process of delimitation of constituencies will take almost four months.

    The former ECP secretary said that four months for delimitation, three months for finalising the voter list, and two months for the election schedule will make the upcoming election possible. So, according to the former ECP, more than nine months are required to make the general election possible.

    He also said that the ECP should not ignore the factor of revision of electoral rolls, as it is very necessary according to the Election Act 2017.

    On the other hand, according to the sources of Geo News, ECP has decided to consult all the major political parties about the final date of the upcoming general election. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will also be consulted regarding this matter.

    The ECP’s meeting with the political parties, the sources added, is expected to begin in the next few days.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are the major political parties in the country.

  • Case against UK-based PTI activist Shayan Ali filed under anti-terror law in Islamabad

    Case against UK-based PTI activist Shayan Ali filed under anti-terror law in Islamabad

    A case has been filed under anti-terror laws against Shayan Ali – a UK-based based activist of the the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- at Ramna Police Station in Islamabad.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), Shayan Ali made videos of a judicial officer Humayun Dilawar and harassed him in London.
    “An attempt was made to attack a judicial officer, he was saved by a security official,” the FIR adds.
    According to the copy of FIR received by Geo News, the SHO of the Ramna Police Station Nasir Iqbal filed the FIR due to the several videos of Shayyan threatening a judicial officer.

    “In one video which went viral on social media, Shayan said that he would make the life of the judicial officer hell who was come to a training at an educational institution in the United Kingdom,” the FIR stated.

    The report asserted that Shayan had also called on other Pakistanis to join him in “making the official’s life hell”.
    Moreover, Adil Farooq Raja, another prominent PTI social media activist, joined the activities online by making these videos aiding and abetting the “terrorist activators”, the FIR claimed.