Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, has announced that the Supreme Court (SC) aims to finalise the proceedings on the lifetime disqualification case by January 4 (Thursday). This significant decision will determine whether the Election Act 2017 amendment aligns with Article 62(1)(F) and establishes whether lawmakers’ disqualification from contesting polls should be lifelong or limited to five years.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) addressed the matter of lifetime disqualification of lawmakers today.
A seven-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, and comprising of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.
During the hearing of a case submitted by former PML-N provincial member Sardar Meer Badshah Khan Qaisrani last month, the top court noted discrepancies over the length of disqualification in the Election Act, 2017 and a Supreme Court ruling.
The apex court noted that there is a contradiction regarding the duration of disqualification in the Election Act, 2017 and a SC verdict.
In 2007, Meer Badshah Qaisrani filed a petition against his lifetime disqualification over a fake degree.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially communicated with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), seeking strict action against media channels found violating the established code of conduct for the upcoming February 8 polls.
The letter explicitly points out the airing of voting surveys by certain media channels. This practice, as per the ECP’s Code of Conduct for National Media, is prohibited under Clause 12.
According to Clause 12, individuals working in print, electronic, and social media are prohibited from obstructing the election process and are required to display accreditation cards provided by the Election Commission.
The ECP emphasized that both print and social media should refrain from conducting polls and surveys at polling stations or constituencies. The electoral watchdog stated that such activities have the potential to influence voters’ free choice and may disrupt the electoral process.
The letter stated, “Given the seriousness of this issue, I am directed to state that PEMRA shall take prompt and appropriate action against the electronic media channels in strict alignment with Clause 12 of the Code of Conduct for National Media. A compliance report in this regard be also shared with this office as soon as possible for placing it before the Election Commission.”
The ECP’s comprehensive 18-point code of conduct for media during elections includes provisions preventing the dissemination of content that reflects opinions prejudicial to the sovereignty, uprightness, or security of Pakistan. It also prohibits statements that could harm national solidarity or create a law and order situation.
The regulatory framework extends to personal attacks on candidates or political parties in media content, mandating that any allegations should include comments from both sides. Monitoring responsibilities are delegated to Pemra, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Press Information Department, and the Cyber Wing and Digital Media Wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The ECP further emphasized that these authorities are accountable for monitoring political parties’ and candidates’ coverage during election campaigns through electronic channels, print, and social media. Details of payments made by political parties and candidates must be submitted within 10 days after the poll day.
The Election Commission of Pakistan warns that, in case of any violation of this Code of Conduct, it reserves the right to withdraw accreditation from individual journalists or media organizations. The authority to determine violations also rests with the electoral body. The media is also prohibited from airing unofficial results of a polling station until one hour after the close of the poll during the polling process coverage.
Local police have found the bodies of five men accused of stripping and parading a woman in 2017 in district Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The bodies are of those five persons who were accused of stripping a woman’s clothes off in Garahmat village of Daraban town in Dera Ismail Khan district in October 2017 when she was fetching water from a local pond. It is an honour killing issue,” said the police as reported by The Khorasan Diary.
ALERT: Police have found five bodies in district Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The bodies are of those five persons who were accused of stripping a woman clothes off in Garahmat village of Daraban town in Dera Ismail Khan district in October 2017 when she was fetching… pic.twitter.com/FyDzVXojpK
According to Saeedullah Marwat, reporter Geo News, all bodies were found near the canal area. The killers are unknown as of now. The five men were accused of stripping Sharifan Bibi, and then parading her in town. At the time, complaints were lodged against the men who were arrested. Consequently, a peace agreement was also signed.
The suspects have gone into hiding post the discovery of the bodies while the corpses have been shifted to a nearby hospital.
Aymen Saleem’s wedding ceremonies are underway in Karachi with pictures from the events regularly being shared on social media.
Pictures and videos from Aymen Saleem’s mehndi had social media in raptures. Netizens loved the vibe, decor and theme as the bride and groom, Kamran Malik grooved to hit songs.
In the viral photos and videos shared on social media, Aymen can be seen wearing a unique silver dress for her mehndi ceremony.
An elderly woman in the Indian state of Bihar was found dead by the police after being raped and murdered.
According to Indian media, the woman was killed after being gang-raped in Nawada district of Bihar.
The report said that the incident came to light when the mutilated body was found by the police on December 26.
Local police took action and arrested four persons suspected of involvement in the rape and murder.
The police said that three of the suspects have confessed to raping and killing her by slitting her throat, while one man is still on the run.
Talking about the incident, a police officer said that the woman and her husband, originally from Gaya, had gone to the city on December 25 to meet their relatives.
He said that the old couple had to take a rickshaw from the railway station to reach their destination. However, as soon as only the old lady sat in the rickshaw, the driver started the rickshaw and took her away.
Police apprehended the suspect with the help of CCTV footage.
According to the police, during the investigation, the blood of the woman was found on the clothes of the suspects, while the weapon used to kill her has also been recovered.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Muhammad Zubair revealed on Sunday that his role in the party is limited now as the party doesn’t consult him while taking decisions.
Acknowledging that country is heading towards the much-awaited general election, set to take place on February 8, 2024, Zubair said that he is in PML-N, “just like Abbasi.”
The quote was in reference to former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who is also at odds with the party. Ex-federal minister Miftah Ismail has also been sidelined.
Muhammad Zubair said while speaking on the Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan” on Sunday, “I think, I am in the PML-N. I am in [the party] just like Abbasi is,” he added, as Abbasi had stepped down from the party office soon after the appointment of Maryam Nawaz as senior vice president and chief organiser.
The PML-N leader also said that he supported the party with full energy from 2013 to 2018. “I stood firm with the party when a difficult time came in 2017 after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif.”
Daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, Imaan Zainab Mazaari Hazir, recently married the love of her life Abdul Hadi Ali Chattha, in a ceremony in Islamabad.
Have you searched on Google who is Imaan Mazari’s husband?
Abdul Hadi Ali Chattha is the Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Punjab Bar Council and Founder of Fair Trial Defenders Legal Aid Cell.
Well, we got a chance to talk with him and as a Multani, I am filled with happiness and joy that Imaan married someone who was born and raised on a farm (Pind) in Multan.
Abdul Hadi Ali Chattha did his O levels and A levels from Beaconhouse and went to Newcastle University UK for LLB Hons.
He takes pride in being a Multani and honestly, so do I.
When asked when the couple first met, Hadi said, “We first met in F-8 Katcheri because I was there for a client and got introduced to Imaan. We appeared in court together for that case.”
He started working at AGHS legal aid cell with the late human rights giant Asma Jehangir after coming back from the UK.
After her death, he worked at Justice Project Pakistan with Barrister Sarah Belal.
When asked why he left the U.K. or cities like Islamabad and Lahore and came back to Multan, Hadi said, “In 2018 I came back to Multan and established my legal aid cell, Fair Trial Defenders Legal Aid Cell, to give back to the people of my land. We provide free legal representation to clients who can’t afford legal expenses. We have a core team of six lawyers with my co-founder Suleman A Zeb.”
I was late but just in time also. Best wishes and congratulations to the best couple. pic.twitter.com/tYdQKq6u1I
“It’s very difficult to answer that because it’s everything about her.”
He was initially attracted because of her passion and bravery for the work she does. It’s also the side of her no one else knows, she keeps it hidden from the public eye.
Head over heels in love with Imaan, Hadi said, “I have never met anyone like her. She’s the only one of her kind.”
Since Imaan has been to jail recently, I asked him if he would go to jail for her. “I would go to jail with her. No one’s arresting my wife unless they arrest me too.”
Hadi has decided to move his practice to Islamabad, getting an office there in June 2023. “We will be living in Islamabad, serving the people in Multan through Legal Aid Cell.”
I asked if they intended to start a podcast together Hadi said nothing of the sort is happening in the near future.
Hadi has been a great support and core organizer of Aurat March Multan since 2020. He looks after all the legal matters and NOCs required.
When asked whether the couple will be seen in Aurat March Multan 2024 together, Hadi said, “Maybe one year in Islamabad March and one in Multan March. Wherever our comrades need us. “
The most thoughtful part is that they didn’t have a wedding hashtag or an extravagant wedding. “We both wanted it to be as small and intimate as possible. We feel guilty being extravagant especially because of what is happening around us with our Baloch brothers and sisters and the situation in Gaza.”
Indian singer B. Praak was left amazed after hearing a song in the voice of Pakistani singer Farhan Saeed.
A recent concert held in Dubai starred artists from both India and Pakistan. Various videos of the event have gone viral on social media. Singer B. Praak’s captivating performance kept the audience entertained for hours. Pakistani singer Farhan Saeed also joined B. Praak on stage, expressing happiness at seeing Pakistani celebrities at the concert. When Farhan sang a couple of verses from Praak’s hit, the Indian singer lit up with a beaming smile. Farhan Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Salman Iqbal, Sana Shahnawaz, Samina Humayun, and Humayun Saeed attended the event. Indian celebrities like Vivek Oberoi were also present. Farhan Saeed said, “Today, we are not here for singing but to enjoy your songs.”
Dr. Sawera Prakash, the first Hindu woman to contest general elections from Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recently appeared on a talk show on an Indian TV channel and amazed the host with her honesty and confidence.
She was asked by host Sudhir Chaudhary of Aaj Tak TV about whether Muslim voters in Pakistan will ever vote for a Hindu woman to which Miss Prakash replied that she fully believes that. “The positive response I have been receiving has exceeded my expectations.” She asserted that she has never felt discriminated against, neither as a minority nor as a woman, during her campaign. Upon this the interviewer told her that it feels like she has embraced Pakistan like no other, even though she is a Hindu. Sawera promptly reminded him she was born in Pakistan and being a citizen, she is a patriot. She especially mentioned that she has been given the title of “Daughter of Buner” and this makes her responsible towards not just her district but her country as well.
Sudhir Chaudhary however kept on trying to rattle the calm Dr. Prakash, asking her about the situation of minorities in Pakistan. He quoted disgraced former cricketer Danesh Kanaria who has said that he could not flourish because of his minority status. Miss Prakash vehemently denied that by saying that she is getting support from people of her district, an area which is traditionally conservative yet they own her. Punjab and Sindh must be more open towards minorities, she implied.
Towards the end, the interviewer asked her about Ram Mandir which is about to be opened in Ayodhya, India, built on the site of Babri Masjid, and whether she would come to visit. Dr. Sawera answered that she has never thought about it.
Actor Faysal Quraishi wants to restore the splendor of Pakistani cinema but has an unusual plan to do so.
In an interview the veteran performer gave to Independent Urdu, he talked about the film industry in Pakistan and how it can be revived. “I am a very patriotic person,” he said. However, he emphasized that to make Pakistani cinema thrive, it’s crucial to screen Bollywood films in theaters. “I know that our people want to watch Bollywood movies in Pakistan, so we cannot impose our will on them.”
The actor mused about building good relationships with India, stating that, “We got a great opportunity to work in India. However, due to political tensions and conflicts, those paths closed, and we often shut down routes that bring money to our country.”
