Latest news with #Toshakhana
India Today
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pak Army has a big war to fight as Imran Khan blows bugle
While the Pakistani army is reeling from India's Operation Sindoor, it would now find itself entangled in a bigger crisis at home. Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, Imran Khan, has called for a nationwide agitation, which will not be restricted to Islamabad. The proposed mass agitation follows several protests by PTI supporters seeking the release of Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August message, conveyed by Khan's sister Aleema Khan, made it clear. "Start preparing for a mass movement; I will not call people to Islamabad, but we will launch the movement across Pakistan", Pakistan Daily, The Express Tribune, quoted her as a post on X, PTI Senator Ali Zafar, who went to meet Imran Khan on Monday, also shared that his party was planning a nationwide movement. "Some very important matters were discussed. Amongst them was a countrywide movement for which the party should prepare and be well-organised," the senator MOVEMENT, NO SURRENDER: EX-PAK PM IMRAN KHANKhan's sister Aleema reiterated Khan's steadfastness in resisting any pressure, saying, "Imran Khan has made it clear that even if he spends his entire life behind bars, he will not surrender to pressure".advertisementShe further revealed the former PM was being denied basic rights typically granted to regular highlighted Khan's commitment to the party's core values, quoting him: "No matter the extent of the torture, I will never accept subjugation. I will not give in."He also made clear there was no space in PTI for disloyal members, stating there is no place in the party for those who play on "both sides of the wicket."Aleema also spoke about Khan's wife Bushra Bibi's imprisonment, describing it as a tactic to increase pressure on Imran. "Even if I am kept in prison for life, I will not bow down," Khan reportedly WAS EX-PAK PM IMRAN KHAN JAILED?Khan was ousted from office through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022 and was later arrested in August Khan's arrest, for the Toshakhana case, where he was sentenced to 3 years and disqualified from office, widespread PTI-led protests erupted across his sentence was suspended on August 29, he was re-arrested in the cipher case. In January 2024, he received a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets, which was overturned on June had blamed the Pakistani army for having a "personal grudge" against him. Since then, he has been vocal in his criticism of the Pakistani military establishment and the coalition government of PML(N), led by PM announcement of the nationwide agitation call by the PTI chief follows the party's mass protests seeking Imran Khan's release in November 2024, when PTI leaders and supporters flocked to the federal capital and blocked roads for days. The protests saw intense clashes between PTI protesters and security forces. The party's leadership was ultimately forced to make a swift still remains jailed due to other cases, including a 7-year sentence related to his marriage. PTI-backed candidates won the most seats in February 2024 elections but were excluded from power as rivals formed a coalition AGITATION LOOMS AS PAK ARMY IS IN BACKFOOTThe Pakistan Army, which is the de-facto head of the Islamic Republic, is on the backfoot after India's Operation response to the Pakistani establishment-sponsored Pahalgam attack, Indian forces dealt a severe blow to the Pakistan Army, exposing its a 25-minute precision strike destroyed nine terror camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing over 100 terrorists, including Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Rauf New Delhi's advanced airpower overwhelmed Pakistan's air defences, in to the latter's strikes on Indian military installations and civilians. In retaliation to Pakistan's strikes, Indian counterstrikes crippled its key military installations like Noor Khan and Rahimyar Khan military setbacks and economic strain, Pakistan, on the lookout for a face-saving exit, declared a victory and elevated the army chief to the post of Field Marshal, a move which was widely seen as before India's Operation Sindoor, the army was already under fire from civilians, particularly PTI supporters, and Munir's popularity was waning. Now, with the regime already stretched thin, it faces the prospect of another major confrontation at the home front when the PTI launches its nationwide agitation against the hybrid setup of Islamabad and Watch
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI delegation meets acting CJ IHC
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Friday, confirmed a meeting of the PTI delegation with Acting Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar. Following the meeting which lasted 30 minutes, Barrister Gohar expressed optimism for positive outcomes, saying that a family and lawyer meeting with Imran Khan is expected to take place on Tuesday. Talking to the journalists after his meeting, Barrister Gohar said that they presented all of the party's concerns to the IHC Acting Chief Justice and informed him about the hurdles being faced by them in their meeting with the party founder Imran Khan. He also mentioned that PTI founder Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, provided detailed information about family visits to Adiala Jail, emphasising that for quite some time no meeting has taken place with Imran Khan. Barrister Gohar further said that he had requested the Acting Chief Justice to facilitate a meeting between Imran Khan and family members. Meanwhile, a single bench of IHC comprising Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas accepted an application of early hearing in the matter related to former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi's acquittal pleas in Toshakhana case. A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Minhas conducted hearing of the applications submitted to the IHC seeking an early hearing of their acquittal petitions in the Toshakhana 2. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi moved the applications through Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry. During the hearing, Khalid Chaudhary requested the bench to fix a date for hearing of the acquittal pleas. However, the judge said that he has issued the orders and the Registrar office will fix the case. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Counsel for PTI challenges IHC verdict of 24.03.2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Mashal Azam on Thursday challenged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judgement dated 24.03.2025 before the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court. She sought directions to allow her to attend the proceedings of jail trial of PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. She contended that the judgment of the IHC is against the law and facts available on file. The IHC judgment is a result of misreading and non-reading of the facts and available record. The High Court has passed the judgment in a cursory manner without going into the details of the matter. Mashal Azam stated that the High Court has failed to consider the law laid down by the Supreme Court and passed the impugned judgment without applying judicial mind and without showing sufficient cause. The IHC while deciding the Crl. Org. Petition, has not considered this fact that as it is provided by Article 204 of Constitution. She argued that the purpose of proceeding for contempt of court is not the protection of a judge, but in fact, it is for the protection of public at large, whose rights and interests would obviously be effected, if by any act or omission of any party, the authority of a judge is lowered and the confidence of the people in the administration of justice is diminished. The petitioner engaged as a legal counsel by her clients, Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and Bushra Bibi, in their previous and ongoing cases related to Toshakhana conducted by Accountability Court as well as cases registered at Police Station R.A. Bazar, Rawalpindi related to 9th May 2023 incidents and the trials of these accused persons are being regularly conducted in the Camp Court situated at Adiala Jail. As part of her professional obligations, she has been attending these court proceedings regularly. That on 18.01.2025, cases pertaining to Anti-Terrorism were scheduled for hearing as jail trials, and the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) is to conduct the proceedings. The petitioner, in compliance of her duties arrived at Adiala Jail to attend the court proceedings. However, the jail authorities did not allow her entry into the premises and stopped her at the outer gate of the jail. She mentioned that the IHC on a writ petition of another lawyer on 06.09.2024, directed the jail authorities to allow the counsels of the accused, whose vakalatnamas have been duly signed and filed in the subject cases, to attend the proceedings. Furthermore, the IHC also appointed commissioners to address any grievances arising in that regard. Despite of the clear directions, the jail authorities repeatedly obstructed the access of petitioner to the court proceedings, adding feeling aggrieved she filed Crl. Org. Petition, which was disposed of by IHC vide impugned order dated 24.03.2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
19-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PAC seeks 78-year Toshakhana record
The Toshakhana is a repository which stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and other officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. PHOTO: FILE The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday demanded a complete record of Toshakhana dating back to 1947, uncovering irregular amendments and opaque auction processes. Officials revealed that Toshakhana rules were altered without cabinet approval between 2001 and 2018, while records before 2002 remain classified. Lawmakers also raised concerns over the lack of public auctions for state gifts, with the government considering a complete ban on public officeholders retaining gifts. During the meeting, chaired by Junaid Akbar, the committee reviewed the Cabinet Division's audit report for 2023-24 and ordered the submission of Toshakhana records dating back to 1947. However, the cabinet secretary said that records prior to 2002 were classified. He added that under the new Toshakhana Act 2024, rules were being revised, including serious consideration of banning public officeholders from accepting gifts during foreign visits. The PAC also demanded details of all auctioned Toshakhana gifts within 15 days. The cabinet secretary stated thaAt Toshakhana records from 2002 to 2024 were available online. However, the PAC chairman instructed that hard copies be provided to committee members and all archived records be uploaded to the website. PAC members noted that the Toshakhana policy previously allowed public officeholders to retain gifts by paying 30% of their value. However, under the new act, they must pay 100%. The committee was also informed that Toshakhana gifts had never been auctioned publicly. However, the cabinet secretary cited the lack of private-sector appraisers as the reason, despite multiple advertisements for the role. The panel subsequently postponed all audit objections related to Toshakhana. The committee also reviewed an audit observation regarding the non-distribution of nearly Rs2 billion for PSL 8 among PCB and franchises. Audit officials briefed that the funds remained undistributed due to issues between PCB and franchises. Expressing displeasure over the absence of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the PAC chairman questioned, "Shouldn't the PCB chairman be present in today's meeting?" The cabinet secretary explained that Naqvi could not attend due to security concerns in Quetta and Balochistan. However, another official informed PAC that the interior minister was, in fact, present in the country. PAC members, including Syed Naveed Qamar and Senator Fawzia Arshad, insisted that the PCB chairman be summoned, with Qamar stating, "If someone refuses to appear, you can issue notices and even arrest warrants under civil judge powers". The chairman humorously responded, "Do you want me to spend the rest of my life in jail?" The PAC also questioned expenses for the 2025 Champions Trophy, stating that while Rs29 billion was spent, revenue generated was only Rs1 billion. NEPRA audit The PAC also took issue with NEPRA for allegedly undermining parliamentary oversight by challenging a performance audit in the High Court.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ATC extends Bushra Bibi's bail in November 26 protest cases
Listen to article An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday extended the interim bail of Bushra Bibi, wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, in cases related to the November 26 protests. Due to the leave of Judge Amjad Ali Shah, the court extended Bushra Bibi's bail until April 8 in 31 cases linked to the protests. Bushra faces legal proceedings in multiple districts, with 20 cases registered in Rawalpindi, 10 in Attock, and one in Chakwal. Her legal team has maintained that the charges are politically motivated. The government has intensified legal actions against opposition figures following last year's protests. The former first lady, alongside her husband and senior PTI figures—including Ali Amin Gandapur, Salman Akram Raja, and Sheikh Waqas Akram—were booked in multiple cases following the party's 'final call' protest, which ended after a government crackdown. Additionally, the couple and other PTI leaders face a 'triple murder' case, accused of involvement in the deaths of three Rangers personnel who were allegedly run over during a 'do-or-die' protest. Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan have been entangled in several legal battles, including the Toshakhana and £190 million corruption cases.
