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02 NEWS IHC dIreCTS govT To CoNTACT INdIAN govT oNCe more regArdINg JAdHAv CASe

NEWS DESK

THE Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the federal government to contact the Indian government again regarding the appointment of legal counsel to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and to ask if the Indian government wanted to pursue the case at all. A larger bench headed by IHC Chief Justice (CJ)Athar Minallah, and comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, conducted a hearing on Thursday of the case related to the appointment of a defence lawyer for Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

The bench heard the Ministry of Law's plea regarding provision of counsel to Indian spy Jadhav for the implementation of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decision.

The ICJ had directed Pakistan to inform Jadhav of his rights under Article 36 and grant India consular access. The court had also ruled that Pakistan should review the case while considering its laws. The ICJ also asked Pakistan to review Jadhav's death penalty.

It is pertinent to mention that the Indian High Commission has not appointed counsel for the captured spy in spite of being sent notices four times.

IHC CJ Minallah asked, “Is the Indian government not serious in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav?”

“The government should once again contact India and ask whether it wants to pursue the Kulbhushan case or not, ” he added.

Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan could not appear before the court as he was busy in the presidential reference regarding the Senate elections, so Deputy Attorney General Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah appeared in his place.

In reply to a question on the release of Indian prisoners, Shah confirmed that so far four prisoners have been released, while the fifth will be released on January 22.

Further hearing of the case was adjourned till February 3.

Pakistan had last month rejected the assertions of the India Ministry of External Affairs regarding the legal proceedings purportedly under way in the aforementioned case of Indian Naval Commander Jadhav.

These reports had been termed as "misleading"and"incorrect"inastatementby the Foreign Office (FO), which added the Indian government was looking for an escape from the legal proceedings in the case.

Earlier on July 17, 2019, the ICJ had rejected remedies sought by India, including annulment of military court decision convicting Jadhav, his release and safe passage to India.

Jadhav was arrested by authorities from Balochistan in a counter-intelligence operation on March 3, 2016. During the investigation, he confessed to his involvement in terrorist activities inside Pakistan that resulted in the loss of many precious human lives.

Broadsheet found nothing against Sharif, claims Abbasi

KARACHI: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has claimed that Broadsheet found nothing against former prime minister and party supremo Nawaz Sharif.Abbasi said this while talking to the media persons after an accountability court heard the illegal appointments in Pakistan State Oil (PSO) case on Thursday.Abbasi alleged that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is a source to pressurise politicians. He said that the anti-graft body holds others accountable but it itself should be held accountable for degrading others. Earlier, an accountability court recorded the statement of a witness in the illegal appointments in PSO case.Abbasi along with former PSO MD Imranul Haq, former deputy MD and other accused turned up before the court.Awitness in the reference recorded a statement, while the further hearing of the case was adjourned until February 4. The anticorruption watchdog had filed a reference against ex-PMAbbasi and the then petroleum secretary for allegedly appointing Sheikh Imranul Haq as managing director and Yaqoob Sattar as deputy managing director (finance) of the PSO in violation of rules and regulations. The former prime minister and the former petroleum secretary have been on the bail secured from the Sindh High Court in July 2019. TLTP

Panama papers, Broadsheet expose black money of corrupt: Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz has said that Panama Papers and Broadsheet have exposed the black money of the corrupt mafia. In a tweet onThursday, the information minister said that Broadsheet's facts show as to how the national reconciliation ordinances (NROs) of the past inflicted an irreparable damage to the country. He said this is a problem that started when an NRO was given to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and later another NRO was given to Pakistan People’s Party and PML-N. He said the corrupt leaders of the past looted the people of Pakistan to fill their houses.Acouple of days ago, Faraz said that an interministerial committee has been formed to probe the Broadsheet LLC scandal. STAFF REPORT

NAB submits report on Asif’s securities to court

LAHORE: The NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB) has furnished a report about over 30 million shares Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader KhawajaAsif acquired and sold in various firms and banks over the past ten years to the accountability court. According to the record the bureau collected from a private brokerage firm that managed his investment, he owned over 10 million shares in an IT firm, 11.6 million shares in three private banks, 7.7 million shares in Sui Southern Gas Pipelines, and 934,000 shares in Engro Corporation Limited and National Refinery Limited. Asif also owned hundreds of thousands shares in a pharmaceutical firm. The former foreign minister was arrested in the asset beyond means case in Islamabad on December 29 and then produced before a Rawalpindi court the following day for his transitory remand so he could be transported to Lahore. TLTP

12 cops dismissed, 33 punished over negligence in saving Karak temple

PESHAWAR TLTP

Twelve cops were dismissed from duty with immediate effect while 33 police personnel were awarded minor punishment of forfeiture of one year of service after the preliminary inquiry report of the Karak Hindu temple attack found them negligent in discharge of their duty. “They show cowardice, negligence, and irresponsibility in the discharge of their official obligations, ” the inquiry report stated in view of the available record and facts on file, perusal of inquiry papers and the recommendations of the inquiry officers. It further maintained that the officers failed to protect the Hindu temple which caused disrepute for the police department in the eyes of the general public.

Moreover, the probe has also recommended to the superintendent of police, Frontier Reserve Police (FRP) Kohat regarding minor punishment to the remaining 28 FRP personnel, the report added.

Referring to the report, KP Inspector General Dr SanaullahAbbasi said that there is no room for negligent elements and slanderers in the police department. “On the first day we had said that if the police were found to be negligent, they would go home, ” the IG added. “The first priority of the police is the protection of life and property ofthe people inwhichnegligence will not betolerated. ”

On December 30, 2020, a mob, reportedly led by a firebrand cleric Maulvi Sharif, vandalised the temple, which, though no longer functional, is considered a revered pilgrimage site by the Hindu community.

The historic temple had stopped offering religious service after the 1947 partition when all local Hindu families migrated to India. However, four years ago, the unfrequented temple was handed over to the Hindu community on the Supreme Court’s order. And it has been a pilgrimage site for Hindus ever since.

According to reports, local clerics were not happy with the handover of the temple to the Hindu community. The ongoing renovation had reportedly fuelled their anger which set off a chain of events that led to the vandalism. On January 5, the apex court directed the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman to immediately visit the site of the destroyed Hindu temple in southern Karak district and begin its reconstruction. Expressing displeasure over his performance, the apex court asked the ETPB chairman to submit details of the cases pending against properties belonging to the board as well as details of functional and non-functional temples.

Rao Anwar withdraws exemption plea in Naqeebullah murder case

KARACHI TLTP

The counsel for former senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rao Anwar decided to withdraw his plea for exemption from personal appearance in the Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case after the Sindh High Court (SHC) dropped a hint to reject it on Thursday. A two-member bench headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh heard the former police officer's plea seeking exemption, presented by his counselAdvocateAmir Mansoob.

Justice Sheikh remarked, "Would it not be discrimination against others if Rao Anwar is excused from attending court proceedings?"

The ex-policeman's lawyer maintained that according to a report received from intelligence agencies, his client is facing serious security concerns.

On hearing the argument, the chief justice remarked that in that case "we will order the trial court to hold hearings on a daily basis, and reject your plea" . However, the petitioner's counsel pleaded to the court to not reject the plea, saying he will withdraw it. Granting the request, the court dismissed it on the grounds of withdrawal.

It may be recalled that former Malir SSPAnwar previously filed an application with the trial court seeking exemption from attendance in court hearing of the Naqeebullah murder case. His plea was rejected in the trial court after which Anwar had challenged the verdict in the SHC.

On March 25, 2020, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) had indicted the former SSPand others in the Mehsud murder case.

Anwar is accused of being involved in the murder of Mehsud and three others in a staged police encounter in Karachi. Mehsud was killed on January 13, 2018 in Karachi during a fake encounter allegedly staged byAnwar.

Air chief discusses defence ties with Turkish military leadership

ISLAMABAD:PakistanAirForce(PAF)ChiefoftheAir Staff(COAS)MarshalMujahidAnwarKhanonThursday calledontheseniormilitaryleadershipofTurkeyanddiscussed waysinwhichtofurtherpromotePakistan-Turkeydefenceties, especiallybetweenthetwoairforces.Theairchief,whoison anofficialfour-dayvisittoTurkey,heldseparatemeetingswith TurkishMinisterforNationalDefenceHulusiAkarandthe TurkishChiefofGeneralStaffGeneralYasarGüler,saidaPAF pressrelease.Duringthesemeetings,hereiteratedhis commitmenttoenhancecooperationwithTurkeyinthefields ofdefenceproduction,securityandtrainingbycapitalisingon therespectivestrengthsofeachside.AirChiefMarshalKhan alsocalledonTurkishAirForceCommanderGeneralHasan Küçükakyüz.Boththecommandershelddetaileddiscussion onenhancingcollaborationandexchangingexpertisebetween theairforcesofthetwobrotherlycountriestomeetthe challengesofthecontemporaryworld.Thediscussion includedPAF’sparticipationintheAnatolianEagle multinationalexerciseinTurkey,andtheTurkishairforce's participationinvariousexercisesorganizedbyPAF,aswell wastheexchangingandtrainingofpilots. STAFF REPORT

Buzdar terms corrupt as transgressors of nation

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said corruption is a lingering tragedy while the corrupt are transgressors of the nation.

In a statement on Thursday, the chief minister regretted that corruption polluted national politics as resources were mercilessly thieved. It is cruel to treat politics as a means of earning because the whole society is devastated due to the bad effects of corruption, he added.

The CM asserted that Pakistan would have been a developed country if corruption was avoided in the past and maintained that history will never forgive those who had polluted the society with the cancer of corruption. PM Imran is strenuously working to build a corruption-free Pakistan and the nation is firmly standing with their leader, he added.

Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Industries & Trade MianAslam Iqbal met the chief minister at his office on Thursday and apprised him of the ongoing cleanliness drive. LWMC CEO Imran Ali was also present.

The chief minister directed to take every step to remove garbage. “You are assigned the task of cleaning Lahore as you are a hardworking and talented minister, ” he said. The CM directed that dysfunctional machinery should be rectified and brought to roads for cleaning purposes.

He further directed that government officials and LWMC should join hands to remove garbage and special attention be paid to cleaning of the walled city, poor localities and posh areas. The roads should be scrubbed with mechanical sweepers and zero-waste operation be completed as soon as possible, the CM added.

Buzdar persevered that LWMC should work with renewed zeal and special attention be paid to fixing of streetlights and patchwork. Dedicated support of commissioner Lahore and LDADG would be available to you, he assured.

Therefore, every effort should be made to ensure best cleanliness arrangements for making Lahore a neat and clean city, the CM stated. He said that he would conduct a detailed visit soon to monitor cleanliness situation and availability of civic amenities to the citizens of Lahore.

Iqbal informed that 85 per cent garbage has been removed by utilising 40 per cent machinery and 6,300 tons of solid waste will be removed by Friday.