PTI claims Sanam Javed, other female activists rearrested after release

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday claimed that Sanam Javed, one of the party's staunch activist, and other female supporters were rearrested after the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) ordered their post-arrest bail in Lahore Jinnah House Attack case two days earlier. However, so far, there has been no confirmation by the Punjab government over the claim made by the PTI. The party based its claim on a video posted by journalist Mughees Ali at the social media platform X, where he, without quoting the source, asserted that Sanam and others were again taken into custody. صنم جاوید سمیت دیگر رہا ہونے والی خواتین پھر گرفتار، پولیس کی گاڑی میں سے آواز آئی جی دوبارہ گرفتار کر لیا۔۔۔!!!pic.twitter.com/bZF8dwgne3 — Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) September 25, 2023   In the video, a prison van could be seen at Kotlakhpat Jail which passes before the media persons with hands visible from its top, possibly of the said individuals. Someone, in the meantime, asks "again arrested" to which he receives a reply in affirmation in an apparent feminine voi Read More: PTI’s detained women workers deny mistreatment The PTI has slammed the government for allegedly flouting the court's order and held that the alleged re-arrest of its female activists was the display of fascism. "Absolutely shameful how lawless Pakistan has become and how Courts orders are being violated continuously. Female Political prisoners in Pakistan continue to have their fundamental rights violated. The Pakistani women have shown utmost courage, resilience, grit & resolve in the face of unprecedented fascism, tyranny & oppression. It’s time to end this brutality," the party said on its official X handle. Absolutely shameful how lawless Pakistan has become and how Courts orders are being violated continuously. Female Political prisoners in Pakistan continue to have their fundamental rights violated. The Pakistani women have shown utmost courage, resilience, grit & resolve in the… https://t.co/QfBUg4o6mU — PTI (@PTIofficial) September 25, 2023 PTI leader and former state minister Farrukh Habib while giving his take on the development termed the act based on malafide intention. He wondered that when Sanam was languishing in jail for four months, and when she was not wanted in any other case, then why she was rearrested at the time when her release order was to be executed. قیدیوں والی وین سے صنم جاوید کی آواز سن سکتے ہے جی جی جی again arrested. ان نہتی خواتین سے خوفزدہ ہے۔ جب یہ 4 ماہ جیل میں تھی اور کسی اور مقدمہ میں بھی مطلوب تھی تو انکی گرفتاری پہلے ڈال لیتے لیکن یہ سب کچھ بدنیتی کی بنیاد پر کیا جارہا ہے pic.twitter.com/skYH32WuVn — Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) September 25, 2023   On Saturday, the Anti-Terrorism Court granted post-arrest bail to nine PTI workers and dismissed pleas of 39 allegedly involved in creating a law and order situation, chaos, and attacking the Jinnah House following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in May. Read More: ATC extends remand of Khadija Shah, others in Jinnah House attack case Judge Arshad Javed granted bails to Sanam Javed, Shah Bano, Ashmia Shujah, Rubina Jameel, Mubeen Qadri, Syed Faisal Akhtar, Ali Hassan, Afshan Tariq, and Muhammad Qasim. The prosecution had placed its arguments that the accused persons were fully involved in creating law and order situation and that was substantial evidence of their involvement in the attack on Jinnah House. It requested the court to dismiss their bail pleas. However, the counsels for the accused contended that the accused persons had been implicated in a forged case merely to humiliate them despite the fact that they had nothing to do with this case. They requested the court to grant them bail. The ATC judge after hearing detailed arguments, granted bails to nine and dismissed the post-arrest pleas of 39 accused persons, including Khadija Shah.

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New Hajj policy to offer shorter stays in holy land

The religious affairs ministry planned to introduce a shorter duration of Hajj journey in the new policy, which would soon be presented before the caretaker federal cabinet for approval, Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed told a Senate panel on Monday. During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, the minister said that the Saudi Arabian government had decided that only 46 companies would conduct the Hajj operations from Pakistan, adding that the government could not do much about it. Committee member Maulana Abdul Karim told the meeting that there would be problems if the operations of 905 companies were reduced to 46 companies. Minister Ahmed replied: “We cannot do much about it, but we can request for a leniency for one year.” Maulana Faiz Muhammad, also a committee member, suggested that the new plan should be implemented from next year, adding that “we have to solve the problem” by talking to the Saudi Arabian authorities. The minister said that he had asked the Saudi Arabian authorities to review the decision, but they did not agree. He added that a letter could be written to the Saudi Arabian government to inform it that there could be some difficulties in implementing the decision because it had been taken suddenly. Read also: Pilgrims to get improved services during Hajj: minister Ahmed said that the Saudi Arabian government was planning to increase the number of pilgrims to 10 million. He also said that currently, the Road to Makkah project was running only from Islamabad but the Saudi Arabian government had decided to include Karachi in the project during the next Hajj. Ahmed informed the committee that the Hajj Policy 2024 would be presented to the cabinet for approval soon. He said that there was a proposal to reduce the duration of the Hajj journey from 45 days to 18-20 days from next year. The minister informed the committee that the government would try to ensure that the Hajj expenses of the short duration remained equal to that of the regular duration. He said that it would be up to the pilgrims, whether they choose to stay long or less in Saudi Arabia. The regular Hajj package usually consisted of 35 to 50 days, which included the cost of accommodation, hotel, food and transportation. The committee chair suggested the shorter duration should spread over 30 days. The minister replied that the suggestion would be considered. Dilating further on the new Hajj scheme, the minister said that every pilgrim would be given two suitcases, adding that the suitcases could be located through the QR codes in case of losing them. He also said that the government would provide mobile SIM for 45 days which would be used for video calls.

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UK investors show keen interest in Pakistan

The investors of the United Kingdom’s capital and financial market in a meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday expressed their keen interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan. The leaders of the notable investment firms who met the prime minister in London included Fidelity International Limited (FIL), Wellington Management, Ashmore, Jefferies International, Redwheel Capital, Switex Industrial SA, Oxford Frontier Capital, GuarantCo, JP Morgan, Kalrock Capital, and UBL UK. Prime Minister Kakar informed the delegation about Pakistan’s current economic landscape, highlighting the government measures for external account improvement. He said that recent administrative actions strengthened the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, fostering optimism for stability. He said positive indicators, including inflows from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and friendly nations, contributed to reduced inflation, stabilised reserves, and revival of industrial growth. The prime minister spoke about the foreign direct investment potential in Pakistan’s key sectors and the positive impact of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), exceeding expectations and stabilising the economy and currency. Read also: Govt woos investors to inject capital into startup fund Prime Minister Kakar also highlighted economic improvements such as reduced inflation with expected sustained decline, and upcoming growth in agriculture and industry. He mentioned improved trade after removal of restrictions on imports and fiscal measures for monetary support and medium-term inflation targets. The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s pro-investment efforts, introducing the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). This initiative, led by the prime minister himself, streamlines investment processes, attracts investments in key sectors, and fosters long-term growth by simplifying the business landscape. The British investors enquired about the continuity of the IMF programme in Pakistan and reform efforts from short- to medium-term. The prime minister assured them that Pakistan had expressed its commitment to the IMF programme by undertaking reforms committed with the IMF.

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Minus-one formula echoes again

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar's remarks on the possibility of fair elections without Imran Khan and his party members on Sunday once again raised the spectre of the infamous "minus-one formula" that has haunted the country’s political battleground for decades. In an interview with The Associated Press, the caretaker premier said that fair elections can take place without Imran or hundreds of members of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities including vandalism and arson – a reference to the violence that rocked the country following the former prime minister’s initial arrest in May in Al-Qadir Trust case. However, the interim PM added that the thousands of people in Imran’s party who didn’t engage in unlawful activities, “will be running the political process, they will be participating in the elections”. Political observers were quick to detect that the approach appeared to eerily align with the strategy of the "minus-one formula," which entails the removal of a party leader while encouraging others to seize power. Read ​​​​​​PM's statement of holding polls sans Imran prompts sharp reaction from PTI The formula, which has plagued the country’s political scene, involves the removal of leaders by external powers, leading to a power vacuum and political division within the targeted party. For decades, political figures ranging from prime ministers to lesser-known politicians have fallen victim to this strategy due to their perceived transgressions. From the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan to the controversial hanging of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the formula has frequently shaped Pakistan's political trajectory. Even in recent years, the imprisonment of Nawaz Sharif just prior to the 2018 elections underscored the influence of the minus-one formula. Moreover, the interim prime minister's comments come amid speculation swirling rampantly lately that Imran Khan could be the next target of this notorious formula, given his strained relationship with powerful stakeholders. In fact, Imran himself raised concerns about this possibility last September, suggesting that "imported government and its handlers are so petrified that the nation is standing firmly behind PTI, they are desperately moving on minus-one formula.” Thus, with PM Kakar's statement and the country's political history in mind, the question of whether the upcoming elections can proceed without Imran Khan looms large. Currently, Imran finds himself behind bars after being convicted in the Toshakhana case. Although he was granted bail, subsequent arrests in other cases have prevented his release.‘PM should be non-partisan’ Read more PM Kakar calls for alliance to keep check on India's ‘rough behaviour’ “Prime Minister being the head of government shouldn’t have given such a statement; he should adopt a non-partisan approach and refrain himself from giving such statements,” eminent scholar Professor Dr Hassan Askari said, adding “better selection of words comes with experience.”The professor emeritus recalled that the minus-one formula has frequently come into play from the time of military rulers like Ayub Khan to Zia-ul-Haq to Pervez Musharraf till now but it has never worked in Pakistan. Several politicians have been removed in the past on different grounds, he said, Imran is now being removed on May 9 incidents. Professor Askari explained that the minus-one formula leads to the expulsion of a certain politician and the inclusion of a politician who is more obedient, adding that it also leads to a co-option process where one continues to pursue an agenda; and finally, it leads to “carefully managed elections” to produce a desirable result. “How do you ensure free elections by excluding a party leader like Imran Khan,” he questioned, saying PTI is one of the leading political parties in the country. “We are repeating the same thing knowing that things wouldn’t lead to long-term stability,” Professor Askari pointed out, adding “By expulsion, you can’t deny reality.” He regretted that the process of removing politicians that started since independence hasn’t changed yet, saying some have comfortably beaten Ziaul Haq as the only difference is that they didn’t flog people on taking part in politics like Zia. Among other things, PM Kakar said he expects parliamentary elections to take place in the new year, dismissing the possibility that the country’s powerful military would manipulate the results to ensure that jailed former premier Imran Khan’s party doesn’t win as “absolutely absurd.”PM Kakar said it’s the Election Commission of Pakistan that is going to conduct the vote, not the military, and Khan appointed the commission’s current chief, so “why would he turn in any sense of the word against him?” On elections, the PM said that his government “will provide all the assistance, financial, security or other related requirements” when ECP sets an exact election date. The ECP has so far announced that elections will be held in the last week of January. To a question in the interview, whether he would recommend that judges overturn Imran's conviction so he could run in the elections, PM Kakar said he wouldn’t interfere with decisions by the judiciary and stressed that the judiciary should not be used “as a tool for any political ends.”

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SC issues proposed cause list for Oct

The Supreme Court’s proposed cause list for the four weeks commencing from October 2 (Monday) has been issued. The move is aimed at enabling lawyers, advocates-on-record and the parties to fully prepare for their cases and attend the court. In their recent meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and senior puisne judge Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, the office-bearers of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) requested that the monthly proposed cause list should be issued. According to a statement, conceding to this request, every effort will made to issue the SC’s proposed cause list in advance for four weeks falling within the month. The proposed cause list is available on the apex court’s website -- https://ift.tt/qAWfnFk but adjustments therein may be requested. In the interest of transparency, the number of cases filed each week and disposed by the SC will also be issued. In the week starting from September 18, 2023 (Friday) to September 22 -- both days inclusive -- 225 cases were filed and 205 (excluding CMAs [[civil miscellaneous appeals]) were disposed of. According to the cause list published on the apex court’s website on Friday, five benches of the top court will take up nearly 400 cases next week. According to the list, the five benches for the judicial week from September 25 to 28 would be led by CJP Isa, Justice Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel. A total of 395 cases of various civil, criminal, and tax natures have been scheduled for hearing before these five benches. They include the Faizabad Dharna review case, which will be taken up by a three-judge bench led by CJP Isa himself on September 28. The highest number of cases, 160, has been fixed before a two-member bench led by Justice Masood. The CJP-led bench will hear 55 cases. The remaining three-judge benches will take up 60 cases each. After meeting with the CJP and Justice Masood, the PBC said a committee had been formed to chalk out a policy for fixing the hearings of cases of those litigants who had been waiting for years to receive justice. PBC Executive Chairman Hassan Raza Pasha also told the media outside the SC building that a policy would be prepared to schedule criminal and land grabbing cases for hearing.

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SJC asked to snub complaints against two SC judges, two ex-CJPS

Supreme Court’s senior puisne judge Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, who is also a member of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), has recommended to the body to dismiss the complaints against two serving SC judges and two former chief justices of Pakistan. Some citizens filed a complaint against Justice Ijazul Ahsan as well as ex-CJPs Umar Ata Bandial and Mian Saqib Nisar on the basis of their judicial orders. They also filed another one against Justice Ayesha Malik on the same grounds. Under the SJC inquiry rules, the SJC chairman, incumbent CJP Qazi Faez Isa, referred the two complaints against the two serving judges and two retired CJPs to Justice Masood seeking his opinion. Justice Masood, after reviewing the complaints, sent his opinion to the SJC head, declaring that they were not maintainable as they were based on judicial orders upheld in the apex court. It should be noted that the matter of complaints against another judge of the apex court, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, has also been sent to Justice Masood for his opinion. According to sources, about 10 complaints against Justice Naqvi have been sent to the SJC. Different complaints were filed by lawyers and superior bars against Justice Naqvi. In April this year, Justice Isa and Justice Masood wrote a judicial letter to Justice Bandial, then CJP and SJC head, and other members of the council to call a meeting to review the allegations of misconduct and financial corruption levelled against Justice Naqvi. In May, then CJP Bandial, as the head of the SJC, sought an opinion from a council member about the complaints of misconduct against the SC judge. According to Section 7 of the SJC Procedure of Enquiry Rules 2005, once any information in respect of inquiry into the conduct of a judge was received by any member or the council, it shall be presented to the council’s chairman, “who; shall (a) refer the same to any member of the council to look into the said information; and to express his opinion in relation to the sufficiency or otherwise of the information; (b) if the council is satisfied that the information prima facie discloses sufficient material for an enquiry, it shall proceed to consider the same”. It added that the member, to whom the chairman had referred the information, would “examine the same and ascertain if the information so received discloses specific particulars of misconduct, and provides factual details necessary to form prima facie opinion in respect of the guilt of the judge”. Thirdly, if the member forms an opinion that the information does reveal sufficient material to commence an inquiry, “he shall inform the council accordingly and the information shall be placed before the council”. Lastly, “if the member comes to a conclusion that the information is false, frivolous, concocted or untrue, he shall inform the council accordingly and may recommend action against the person who initiated the information”.

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PIA flight escapes two accidents

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Abu Dhabi narrowly escaped two accidents at the Sialkot Airport. According to aviation sources, flight PK-264 coming from Abu Dhabi to Lahore was shifted to Sialkot due to inclement weather conditions in Lahore. As soon as the report that the weather had cleared in Lahore came in, the plane took off from Sialkot but it was hit by a bird due to which the plane had to land again. Read also: Govt won’t let PIA be grounded The aviation sources said during the landing of the plane, three of its tires had burst, and the plane narrowly escaped an accident at the Sialkot Airport. The passengers left for Lahore by bus. According to the PIA spokesperson, tires had been sent from Lahore to Sialkot for the aircraft. The national flag carrier was facing another problem as several of its planes had already been grounded.

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