Latest news with #PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
May 9 trials: PTI seeks SC review
ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday to intervene in what he described as 'constitutional and procedural violations' surrounding the ongoing trials linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest. In a detailed letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Ayub, who is also a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), framed his appeal both as a political leader and as an individual directly affected by the legal proceedings. He characterised the trials, which are taking place in multiple cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sargodha, as 'rushed' and 'unfair,' warning that such processes undermine public trust in the country's judiciary. 'The integrity of the country's judicial process is under grave threat,' he wrote, alleging that Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) were holding sessions late into the night, sometimes until 2 or 3 am. 'This is neither justice delayed nor justice served – this is justice crushed and buried under the weight of exhaustion, coercion, and haste,' he lamented. Ayub cited numerous Supreme Court verdicts underscoring the necessity of transparency, fairness, and due process. Quoting the landmark ruling in State vs Ziaul Haq (1975), he emphasised, 'Justice must not only be done, it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.' The opposition leader expressed deep concern over what he described as a 'systematic' erosion of legal rights for PTI members, accusing authorities of prosecutorial overreach, filing fabricated complaints, and using coercive tactics. He also raised alarms about restrictions placed on defendants' access to legal counsel of their choice, citing Article 10A of the Constitution, and alleged that courts were frequently denying adjournments and appointing state lawyers without consent. Highlighting violations of constitutional protections, including Articles 4, 10A, 14, 19A, and 25, Ayub warned that such practices contravened not only national law but also international standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He likened the secretive nature of the trials to the notorious 'Star Chambers' of 17th-century England, underscoring the opacity and lack of public scrutiny. He called on Justice Afridi to take urgent corrective action, including a comprehensive review of all May 9 trials to ensure adherence to fair trial norms and enforcing reasonable court hours. He also urged safeguarding the right to counsel, expanding media access, and investigating allegations of prosecutorial and police misconduct. He also urged reopening trials concluded under questionable conditions. Concluding his letter, Ayub invoked a famous quote from former US Chief Justice Earl Warren: 'The treatment a government gives its citizens when accused of crime reveals the very essence of justice in that society.' He reminded the Chief Justice Afridi of his constitutional duty as the 'guardian of the Constitution' to ensure that courts serve justice rather than political interests. 'The public is watching closely,' he warned. 'And history is being written every day.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Arrest warrants for KP CM suspended
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Tuesday suspended the arrest warrants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after he surrendered before it in an illegal weapons and liquor case. Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hussain Chishti suspended the arrest warrant of Gandapur after he appeared before it. The court also cancelled the notice issued to Gandapur surety. At the start of the hearing, Gandapur's counsel Raja Zahoorul Hassan told the court that today his client will not record his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). He requested the court to first hear the acquittal application of his client as a judicial order regarding this already, he said. Judge responded, alright, let us start the argument on the acquittal application, I am listening. The defence counsel requested additional time, stating, I cannot present arguments today. I need at least five hours for proper defence. The judge replied, 'You have five hours, please proceed.' 'If I am to argue for five hour, I need five days for preparation,' the defence lawyer said. He further said that the court should prove us the amended questionnaire under Section 342 so that both the defence arguments and the statement could be submitted together. The judge assured him that you will receive the questionnaire by 3:00 pm. During the hearing, Gandapur explained his absence from the previous hearing held on July 21, citing his role as a voter in the Senate elections alongside his responsibilities as chief minister. The judge said that we had given you the option to record his statement online. Gandapur told the court that he had attempted to join hearing online but there was an internet issue in the court. The court granted Gandapur to leave and adjourned hearing. The court adjourned hearing of the case till July 31. Talking to the reporters after the hearing, the chief minister said that we are not afraid of such fake cases. Our spirits will not be dampened by disqualifications or arrests, he added. He said that the case filed against him was entirely fabricated. When this case was registered, I was not even present at the scene, and the vehicle in question did not belong to me, he said. Reaffirming his commitment to leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) movement in the province, the chief minister announced a major public mobilisation campaign. I will lead the movement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and on August 5, people from every district and constituency will come out, he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Aleema blames top leadership for sugar crisis
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan on Tuesday accused the country's top leadership of contributing to the ongoing sugar crisis by having vested interests in the sugar industry. Talking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Khan's sister Aleema Khan said that sugar prices in the country are soaring day by day in the country as president, prime minister, and chief minister allegedly own sugar mills. She said that the sugar mafia is looting the country. 'The sugar mafia is those who have occupied this country', she said, adding that they are busy making money. What is happening in this country has nothing to do with it, he said, adding that their only focus is on PTI. She warned that after sugar, a wheat crisis is looming, and accused the government of abandoning the country's farmers. She claimed that she has not been allowed to visit her brother for the past two to three months, adding now even the sisters are being denied entry. According to her, Imran Khan is currently being held in complete solitary confinement, with no proper legal access during his ongoing trials. She noted that a full legal team usually consists of 12 to 14 lawyers, yet only one lawyer, Qasain Faisal Mufti, has been allowed inside the jail, which she said is inadequate for cross-examination or trial proceedings. Aleema Khan said that judge had issued clear instructions for family members and lawyers to be allowed to meet Imran Khan. However, jail authorities have continued to ignore these orders, repeatedly violating the court's directives. Earlier, the special court, hearing the Toshakhana-II case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, completed recording statements of 10 prosecution witnesses. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, while hearing the case at Adiala Jail, adjourned the case after the defence completed the cross-examination of witness Mohsin Hassan. Jail authorities produce Khan and his wife before the court. Prosecutor Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi and Umair Majeed appeared before the court. The prosecution requested the court present three more witnesses during the next hearing. The court permitted to record statement to the approver Shoaib Abbasi and Ikram Ullah and a magistrate Abdullah during the next hearing. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
President summons NA session on Monday
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the 18th session of the National Assembly on August 4, 2025. The National Assembly session is scheduled to take place on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 5:00 pm at the Parliament House, Islamabad. According to a notification, the President convened the National Assembly session under Article 54(1) of the Constitution. This session will mark the 18th meeting of the current National Assembly, where key legislative and policy matters are expected to be discussed. According to the sources, the opposition members would raise the issue of escalation of sugar price in the country due to its export. They would also highlight the issue of load-shedding and imprisonment of founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Restrictions on access of family to jail: Adiala jail authorities directed to act on IK's sister plea
ISLAMABAD: The special court on Monday ordered Adiala jail authorities to act on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan's sister against restrictions on access of family members to jail during the trial of the Toshakhana-II case against Khan and his wife as per law. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, while hearing a petition filed by Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, against barring her and her other family members from attending the jail trial of Toshakhana-II case against Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The court directed Adiala jail authorities to act on the petition in accordance with the law. Aleema Khan's counsel, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, appeared before the court. He argued that despite clear court orders, family members were not being allowed to enter Adiala Jail. According to the petition, not only were family members denied access, but Imran Khan's legal team was also barred from participating in jail proceedings. The petition stated that in previous cases such as Toshakhana, cipher, and Al-Qadir Trust, restrictions on access to jail were unjustified and unlawful. Chaudhry further told the court that denying access to family members and lawyers constitutes a violation of the legal rights of the accused. The petition also challenged the legitimacy of the trial in the cipher case due to the lack of access, claiming the proceedings were flawed. The petition stressed that under Section 352 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the trial should be open, and public access is a fundamental right. It further asserted that under Article 10-A of the Constitution, the right to legal representation is a basic right of every citizen. The petition maintained that there is no legal basis to prevent family members from attending hearings, and such denial is unconstitutional and undermines the principle of a fair trial. He said that the court had earlier issued clear orders to ensure access for both family and the legal team, but those orders were not being implemented. The court after hearing arguments, directed the jail superintendent to act in accordance with the law. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
