Latest news with #PAA
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
SC limits army courts' powers under Constitution
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court declared that under Article 175 (3) of the Constitution, the courts martial and the forum of appeal under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, have no jurisdiction to prosecute persons accused of clause (d) of the Act. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Friday issued his verdict on the intra-court appeals against the Supreme Court judgment on military courts. A seven-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, and comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan on May 7 by majority of 5-2 had set aside the SC judgment and restored Section 2 (1) (d) and Section 59 (4) of Pakistan Army Act, 1952. The majority had referred the matter to the government/ parliament for considering and making necessary amendments/ legislation in the Army Act, and allied Rules for providing an independent right of appeal in the High Court, against the conviction awarded to the persons by the court martial/military courts, within a period of 45 days. Two members of the Constitutional Bench, namely, Justice Mandokhail and Justice Naeem, disagreed with the majority judgment, and set aside the convictions and sentences awarded to civilians by the courts martial for 9th May 2023, incidents, and declared them to be without jurisdiction. Justice Mandokhail judgment said that the jurisdiction to try civilians extended to courts martial, especially, in the light of the judgment of FB Ali ceases to exist. The discretion of 'prescribed officer' assigned to him by virtue of Section 94 of the PAA relating to transfer of cases of civilians to courts martial, in respect of civil offences under clause (d), is no more available. However, the courts martial have a limited jurisdiction to the extent of prosecuting members of the Armed Forces for violation of military laws and civil offences. It said that the logic behind the separation of the judiciary from the executive, under Article 175 of the Constitution, is that criminal offences are against the State, whereas, the executive is responsible for administration of the same. A person who breaches a law, is an accused of the State, therefore, the executive having an interest into the matter, cannot itself perform as a judge to punish the accused. It is for this reason, sub-Article (3) of Article 175 of the Constitution mandates that the judiciary shall be separated from the executive, within 14 years of commencement of the Constitution. The judgment noted that upon insertion of clause (d) in subsection (1) of Section 2 and subsection (4) in Section 59 of the Pakistan Army Act (PAA), the courts martial comprising serving officers of the Army are prosecuting the persons accused of offences of clause (d). It said that the purpose of adding the said clause in the PAA is that the offences mentioned therein are prejudicial to the interests of the Army. Admittedly, it is a fundamental principle of natural justice that no one ought to be a judge in his own cause or in which he has an interest. This principle is strictly observed to avoid any instance of bias, resulting into injustice. Under such circumstances, the courts martial and the forum of appeal under the PAA, manned or run by the executive, under the command, control and discipline of the Federal Government, cannot be regarded as unbiased, independent or impartial forums. They cannot protect the fundamental rights and liberties of citizens in a criminal charge or for the determination of their rights and obligations. Thus, courts martial and the forum of appeal are violative of Articles 2A, 175 (3) and 227 of the Constitution. The judgment held that the courts martial are administered judicially, not as a part of the judicature erected under Article 175 of the Constitution, but as part of the organisation of the Armed Forces itself. The jurisdiction of courts martial trying military personnel for service offences and civil offences is different from judicial power exercised by ordinary courts for the general offences against the State. The judgment said: 'We have no doubt in our minds that being a special legal framework, the PAA is primarily a disciplinary statute that applies exclusively to a specified group of people; i.e., members of the Armed Forces.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Indian aircraft: Pakistan airspace to remain closed until June 24
LAHORE: The Pakistani airspace will remain closed to Indian aircraft until June 24 as per the government decision. Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) Director Media Saifullah Khan expressed these views while addressing the Lahore Press Club's 'Meet the Press' programme on Thursday. He noted that reports from Indian media indicate that India has faced significant losses due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. He pointed out that when the situation worsened due to the India-Pakistan conflict, various airlines changed their routes; however, all airlines have now returned to Pakistan's airspace. Talking about recent developments regarding the airports, he said a new system will be introduced at Chitral and Gilgit airports, allowing flights to operate regardless of weather conditions. 'Moreover, Skardu Airport was currently undergoing upgrades while a campaign will be launched in collaboration with the local government on the disposal of garbage in conjunction with Eid-ul-Adha,' he added. Khan disclosed that incidents of bird strikes at Karachi Airport have decreased by 15 percent while there have been 36 reported incidents of bird strikes at Lahore Airport, adding that airports are always built away from residential areas for safety reasons. Regarding the Pakistan Airports Authority, he stated that it was established in August 2024, created following regulations set by the international aviation authority. 'The quality of the communication systems has improved since the formation of the Pakistan Airports Authority; the decision to establish this authority followed several air accidents in the country,' he added. He clarified that there is an established policy regarding the outsourcing of airport services. On this occasion, he was grateful for the invitation to address the Lahore Press Club, saying it brought him great joy to meet with senior journalists, and he had always learned from their experience. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Indian aircraft: Pak airspace to remain closed until June 24
LAHORE: The Pakistani airspace will remain closed to Indian aircraft until June 24 as per the government decision. Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) Director Media Saifullah Khan expressed these views while addressing the Lahore Press Club's 'Meet the Press' programme on Thursday. He noted that reports from Indian media indicate that India has faced significant losses due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. He pointed out that when the situation worsened due to the India-Pakistan conflict, various airlines changed their routes; however, all airlines have now returned to Pakistan's airspace. Talking about recent developments regarding the airports, he said a new system will be introduced at Chitral and Gilgit airports, allowing flights to operate regardless of weather conditions. 'Moreover, Skardu Airport was currently undergoing upgrades while a campaign will be launched in collaboration with the local government on the disposal of garbage in conjunction with Eid-ul-Adha,' he added. Khan disclosed that incidents of bird strikes at Karachi Airport have decreased by 15 percent while there have been 36 reported incidents of bird strikes at Lahore Airport, adding that airports are always built away from residential areas for safety reasons. Regarding the Pakistan Airports Authority, he stated that it was established in August 2024, created following regulations set by the international aviation authority. 'The quality of the communication systems has improved since the formation of the Pakistan Airports Authority; the decision to establish this authority followed several air accidents in the country,' he added. He clarified that there is an established policy regarding the outsourcing of airport services. On this occasion, he was grateful for the invitation to address the Lahore Press Club, saying it brought him great joy to meet with senior journalists, and he had always learned from their experience. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Airlines return to Pak skies
Air traffic has returned to normal following recent disruptions caused by Pakistan-India conflict. All international airlines have resumed operations through Pakistan's airspace – except for Indian carriers, which remain restricted. Talking to media at the Lahore Press Club, Director of Public Relations for the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), Saifullah, said that international airlines had temporarily rerouted flights during the recent escalation but have since returned to their regular routes. He confirmed that, as per the government's directive, Pakistan's airspace will remain closed to Indian airlines until June 24. Skardu Airport is being upgraded while a new system is being introduced at Chitral and Gilgit Airport. Under a new system, flight operations will continue regardless of weather conditions, said the PAA director. He said bird strike incidents had gone down by 15 per cent in Karachi, while 36 such incidents were reported in Lahore. The PAA official said the authority will run a drive in collaboration with the local governments to dispose of offal during Eidul Azha. He said that there was a policy to outsource airports. Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has imposed a ban on flying drones, kites, pigeons, and other objects around Islamabad Airport. The restriction is placed following bird strike incidents, which cause damage to aircraft, and will remain in effect for a month. The areas around the Noor Khan Airbase and Qasim Airbase will also come under the restriction. Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has issued a notification under Section 144. Besides, there is also a ban on aerial firing for a month.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Australian HC team assesses Skardu Int'l Airport
KARACHI: A high-level delegation from the Australian High Commission in Islamabad conducted a comprehensive assessment of Skardu International Airport, evaluating the facility's operational capabilities and safety measures for Australian travellers visiting Pakistan's northern tourism region. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the three-member delegation, led by Second Secretary and Consul Scott Gordon Macdonald-Golden, carried out detailed inspections of the airport's infrastructure and emergency response systems. The visit focused primarily on ensuring adequate safety protocols and support systems are in place for Australian nationals, particularly the growing number of tourists attracted to the scenic northern regions of Pakistan accessible through Skardu. During their assessment, the delegation conducted thorough tours of both arrival and departure terminals, observing passenger processing procedures and receiving detailed briefings on the airport's emergency preparedness protocols and security arrangements. The team also evaluated general passenger amenities and facilities. The Australian officials expressed satisfaction with the airport's standards, particularly commending its cleanliness, organizational efficiency, and overall service quality. The positive assessment reflects well on the airport's readiness to handle international travellers safely and efficiently. Skardu International Airport, managed by PAA, serves as a crucial gateway for tourism development in Pakistan's northern region, PAA spokesman said, adding that the facility is continuing enhancing its capabilities to accommodate both domestic and international passengers as tourism to the area grows. The inspection visit underscores the importance of maintaining international safety and service standards as Pakistan's tourism sector expands, particularly in remote but increasingly popular destinations like Skardu and the surrounding mountain regions. Officials from both sides indicated that the assessment would help strengthen cooperation in ensuring the safety and comfort of Australian tourists visiting Pakistan's northern areas, which have become increasingly popular destinations for adventure tourism and mountaineering activities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
