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Tuesday, 12 December, 2023 I 27 Jamada Al-Awal, 1445
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 163 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
PM TELLS TERRORISTS TO ‘SURRENDER UNCONDITIONALLY’ ‘NO NEGOTIATIONS’
SAYS STATE WILL NOT SHOW 'ANY LENIENCY' TOWARDS TERRORISTS
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
ARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Monday warned terrorist groups in Pakistan to make an “unconditional surrender”, noting the state would not negotiate with them. “The state will not show any leniency towards terrorists who committed violence and killed innocent citizens,” he said during an interaction with the families of martyrs at the interior ministry. PM Kakar categorically said that no person would be allowed to take the law into his hands, adding that only the state had the legitimate right to use armed power through its security forces. “No one should have any doubt about the stance of the state against terrorists,” he
said. “All organs of the state have the clarity to remain persistent against militancy.” He said any damage incurred in the past
by giving a lenient space to militants would be mitigated. The prime minister said if someone
NO PERSON WOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE LAW INTO HANDS, SAYS PM KAKAR
wanted to denounce terrorism, they must seek forgiveness from the families of the martyrs, who paid the ultimate price of terrorism. “We cannot compensate those who lost their loved ones, but can make a gesture to acknowledge and honour their invaluable sacrifices,” he said. Kakar said the reward for the martyrs’ souls rests with Allah, however, it was the responsibility of the society to honour them with a distinguished status. “I pay tribute to all the martyrs with an unending list of heroes from all sections of society including police, politicians, journalists, soldiers, and even children,” he said. Over a year back, terrorism surged across the country after the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its ceasefire and began targeting security forces and civilians. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have seen a significant rise in terrorism, with
Justice Ahsan objects to benches hearing military trial, Justice Naqvi appeals ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Ijazul Ahsan on Monday raised objections on the formation of two benches – one hearing the intra-court appeals against the judgement declaring the trials of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional and the other Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi’s plea against the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) proceedings. A six-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood will hear the appeals against its earlier verdict – wherein it had unanimously declared the trial of civilians allegedly involved in the May 9 riots in military courts as unconstitutional – on Dec 15. According to the SC roster issued on Saturday, the
bench will also include Justices Aminuddin Khan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali and Irfan Saadat Khan. “A meeting of the Committee (“the Committee”) constituted under Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 (the “Act”) was held in the Chambers of the Honourable Chief Justice at 4:00 PM on Thursday 7th December 2023. I attended the meeting being a member of the Committee,” Justice Ahsan wrote in a letter to the secretary of the judges committee on Monday. He said that it was agreed that since the judgement in the matter of the trial of civilians by military courts had been rendered by a five-member bench of the court, a seven-member bench would be constituted to hear the appeals. “I categorically and in clear terms stated that in order to dispel any impression of pick and choose, all Judges of this Court in the order of seniority be included
SC to review matter of lifetime disqualification ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) took notice on Monday of the discrepancy between the judicial decision on lifelong disqualification under Article 62 (1) (f) and the amendment made to the Election Act. The apex court scheduled the hearing for January as it issued notices to the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) and provincial advocate generals. The court further referred the matter, pertaining to ascertain the time period for disqualification, to the judges’ committee to have it fixed before a larger bench for hearing. The apex court’s notice came on a petition filed by a former MPA of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Shamona Badshah Qaisrani, who was disqualified for concealing assets in 2014. During the hearing today, Justice Qazi Faez Isa observed that the SC had two opinions on lifetime disqualification. “Disqualification in NAB [National Accountability Bureau] cases appears to be strict. How long will the disqualification be in a murder case?” he questioned. Justice Athar Minallah observed that the case was related to the 2018 elections, expressing concern over whether it was feasible to hear it now that the next general elections were right around the corner.
However, the judge later remarked that there was no uncertainly regarding the next elections, and anyone trying to encourage it will be in contempt of the apex court. The court observed that the current matter will not be allowed to be used as a tool to delay the February 8, 2024 polls, urging for notices regarding the case to be published in two mainstream English dailies. In 2018, in a landmark verdict, a five-judge bench of the SC had unanimously held that disqualification handed down under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution is for life. Under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be ‘sadiq and ameen’ (honest and righteous), former prime minister and PMLN chief Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the SC bench on July 28, 2017, in references pertaining to the Panama Papers. Similarly, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen was disqualified by a separate bench of the apex court under the same provision. Last year, legal experts had observed that it was interesting to note that a person who has committed a murder is allowed to contest the elections after a specific period of time, whereas, a lawmaker, who lies under oath, has been barred permanently.
Indian SC upholds Modi’s suspension of special status to Kashmir SRINAGAR
AGENCIES
The Indian Supreme Court in unanimous verdict on Monday upheld the Modi government’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, revoking special status to occupied Kashmir. The court directed the election commission to hold elections in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) region by September 30, 2024. In 2019, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) revoked the special status of occupied Kashmir by abolishing Article 370 of the constitution. Not only did the law reserve state government jobs for residents, as well as college places, in an effort to keep the state from being overrun by people from the rest of India. This article had further restricted the Indian parliament’s authority to enact laws in the region, except in defense, foreign affairs, and communications. However, the abrogation then enabled people from other parts of India to buy property and settle permanently in Kashmir. Critics, including Kashmiris, international organisations, and opponents of India’s Hindu nationalist-led government, viewed this decision as an attempt to alter
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the Muslim-majority demographics of Kashmir with Hindu settlers. The court’s direction today was part of the verdict on pleas challenging the revocation of the special status of IlOJK. A five-member bench, led by
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, had reserved its verdict on September 5 regarding whether the move was legal despite lacking the endorsement from parliament usually required for constitutional change.
ISLAMABAD
Kashmir was a global conflict, and that there were UN resolutions present on the matter. “Indian actions on August 5, 2019 were illegal and in violation of UN resolutions,” he said, adding that the people of Kashmir had already rejected unilateral actions. “The decision of the Indian Supreme Court cannot divert the attention of the world from the ongoing Indian atrocities in Kashmir,” Jillani asserted. Reiterating that Indian actions were a violation of international law, the foreign minister added that its actions were an attempt at committing genocide of the Kashmiris and turning them into a minority in their own land. The foreign minister maintained that the issue will be raised before all stakeholders as Islamabad has already shed light on New Delhi’s unilateral actions.
Indian SC’s decision on status of Kashmir holds no validity: FM Jillani STAFF REPORT
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said on Monday that India has no right to take any unilateral action on the status of occupied Kashmir, strongly rejecting the decision taken by its supreme court as invalid. The foreign minister’s remarks came hours after the Supreme Court of India upheld the Modi government’s 2019 annexation of the disputed territory. The unanimous verdict was handed down by a panel of five judges, on over a dozen petitions challenging the revocation and a subsequent decision to split the region into two federally administered territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and the Buddhist territory of Ladakh. Jillani said that Jammu and
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in the appellate Bench,” he added. Justice Ahsan said that the chief justice had agreed to his point, but said that he would ask the judges and if any of them did not want to sit on the bench, the next available judge will be included. “I waited all day on Friday for any information regarding the two Benches. At least three phone calls were made to you, but my office was informed that the file with your note had been sent to the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan. The last call was made at 6:30 PM when your office stated that you had left for the day,” he said in the letter. “Neither the minutes of the 4th meeting nor those of the 5th meeting were sent to me on Friday or Saturday. Neither of the minutes have been seen or signed by me, yet these have been uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
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some politicians also raising concerns about the security situation during the general elections — scheduled for February 8, 2024. Pakistan saw a notable surge in militant activities in November as the attacks rose by 34% following a two-month decline, data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) showed. A total of 63 attacks took place which resulted in 83 fatalities, including 37 security forces personnel and 33 civilians. Additionally, 89 individuals sustained injuries, comprising 53 civilians and 36 security personnel. Pakistani security forces responded with precision, eliminating at least 59 militants, while 18 suspected militants were apprehended. Analysis of October 2023 data underscores a 34% surge in militant attacks, a 63% rise in fatalities, and an 89% increase in the number of wounded during November 2023.
Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi get bail from ATC
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday granted bail to former prime minister and PTI founder, Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. ATC Judge Abu Alhasnat Zulqarnain heard the pleas of the PTI founder and Qureshi. The prosecutor opposed the PTI stalwarts’ bail plea, citing it as an ‘extraordinary’ relief. Were the PTI founder and Shah Mahmood Qureshi present at the incident scenes, in which they were booked? the judge asked the prosecutor. No, they were not, the prosecutor replied. Later, ATC granted bail to PTI founder chief Imran Khan in three cases and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two cases. Both PTI founder and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi are currently in Adiala Jail in cipher case. STAFF REPORT
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