Category: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court (AC) on Thursday adjourned the hearing on mega money laundering reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and others till July 8. A cross-examination of witness in the mega money laundering reference was also continued by the defence lawyer during the hearing. AC-II Judge Muhammad Azam Khan heard the graft reference connected with fake accounts scam filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The court also granted one-day exemption from hearing to Zardari and his sister on their lawyers’ request. Defence lawyers Farooq H Naek, Arshad Tabriz and Ehsan Qureshi, and NAB witnesses Mohammad Naeem and Manager Summit Bank Mehrooz Akhtar appeared before the court. The defense counsel Farooq H Naek cross-examined the witness Muhammad Naeem, after which the court directed another witness Mehrooz Akhtar to appear on the next hearing.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed two appeals of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif against his imprisonment sentences in Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfield Property references. The court also upheld the decisions of accountability court Islamabad, for handing 11 year and seven year jail in Avenfield property and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references, respectively. The court order read: “Since appellant is fugitive from law, hence has lost his right of audience before this court and we are left with no choice except to dismiss his appeals. The instant appeal is dismissed. Appellant may file an application before this court, as and when he surrenders or is captured by the authorities, for decision of the appeal on merits. Needless to observe that the said application, if and when is made, shall be decided in accordance with law. ” A division bench of IHC, comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani, issued a nine-pages judgment this day, which the bench had reserved last day after listening the arguments from NAB prosecutor and amicus curiae. The court order said: “The appellant was provided fair trial and now has absconded from justice at the time of hearing of appeal. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was provided a fair trial inasmuch as learned trial court provided him opportunity of hearing as well as cross-examining the prosecution witnesses and only after the proper trial, his conviction was recorded; he despite being on bail, proceeded abroad and did not appear before this court and without any justification, remained absent on a number of dates. Hence this court was left with no option but to follow the procedure as provided in Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and declare him as fugitive from law. ” The former prime minister was sentenced a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the Avenfield properties reference while the trial court announced seven-year jail to Nawaz Sharif along with Rs1.5 billion and $25 million in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference. The former prime minister had filed appeals to IHC against the decision of accountability court. The IHC suspended the verdict in Avenfield property reference and later granted bail to Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference allowing him to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, the accused skipped multiple hearings deliberately and didn’t surrender despite repeated court notices. Subsequently, IHC declared Nawaz Sharif fugitive on continuous disappearance and now finally dismissed his appeals.

MUZAFFARGARH: Deputy Commissioner Muzaffargarh Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen awarded one-month jail with Rs 50,000 fine to a man under Protection of Parents Ordinance 2021 or the charges of beating his parents and forcing them to leave the house. The action was taken on the complain of parents of the accused for beating and evicting them from home leaving them homeless a year ago. The DC also ordered Station House Officer Civil lines to get the house vacated from the accused, and hand it over to his parents, ADCG Ehsaanul Haq told media on Thursday. The elderly couple Ghulam Fatima and her deaf husband Muhammad Iqbal logded the complained that their son Mukhtar Hussain was not behaving well with them and used to beat them up. A year ago, Mukhtar forced them to leave home and since then she was managing her resources by doing domestic work at people”s home, Ghulam Fatima said. DC had summoned both parties at his office and provided them an opportunity to reconcile. Mukhtar Hussain sought forgiveness from his parents and expressed willingness to take them home and take their responsibility. The parents, however, refused, following which deputy commissioner decided the matter as per law. The official expressed serious concerns over the trend in few sections of society where people misbehaved with their parents leaving them hapless. He said, it was the main reason that the incumbent government introduced law for protection of parents.

LAHORE: Three persons died, while at least 21 people were left wounded after an explosion occurred in a house in Lahore’s Johar Town area, media reported Wednesday.

Per the report, rescue, police, and bomb disposal teams have reached the site of the incident, while the injured have been shifted to the city’s Jinnah Hospital.

Witnesses say that the glass windows of nearby houses and buildings have been shattered. One of the buildings has been severely damaged and some vehicles parked at the site of the blast have also been affected.

Hospital officials say nearly two dozens people have sustained injuries and have been shifted to Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital via private cars and auto-rickshaws.

The Jinnah Hospital management has asked people to come forward and donate blood for the injured, adding that treatment is being provided to the wounded.

According to hospital officials, the injured included one police official, a woman, and two children. Owing to the burns, the condition of all the injured is critical.

The sound of the blast was so loud that it was heard in faraway areas. However, the nature of the blast has not been ascertained yet. An eyewitness said that an unidentified individual parked a motorcycle near the house which later exploded.

Police have cordoned off the area for further investigation while traffic has been redirected.

Inspector General Punjab Inam Ghani has said that police had been targeted in the attack. He advised the people to not listen to rumours related to the blast.

The IGP told media that the CTD is probing the incident and a detailed report will be shared about the nature of the blast and the material used in it.

“We are not sure what caused the explosion or whether it was a planted devise [that caused the explosion] or a suicide blast,” he noted.

When asked about a high-value target near the crime scene, Ghani said had there been no police post, the vehicle could have reached it.

“You should be thankful to the police,” he said.

He, however, did not share any additional information about the high-value target in the area.

Inam Ghani vowed to arrest those behind the terrorist act.

Following the bomb attack in Johar Town, the Lahore police chief issued directives to heighten security across the city.

Snap-checking in Johar Town and nearby areas have been increased, a statement from the CCPO office said.

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the blast in Johar Town, here on Wednesday. In a statement, the PPP chairman expressed condolence to the families of the victims and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. He demanded that responsible should be arrested at the earliest and awarded them an exemplary punishment.

PM-N President and opposition leader National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the blast in Johar Town Lahore.

Shehbaz said the loss of precious lives in the blast is extremely sad and unfortunate. “This incident in the capital of the most populous province of Punjab should be an eye-opener.”

He reminded that the he had been warning about the deteriorating law and order situation seeking serious attention.

 

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf during his participation at the 16th meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states did not meet with Indian NSA Ajit Doval in Dushanbe. Dr Moeed attended the two-day 16th meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council of the SCO member states being held on June 22, 23 in Dushanbe, said a news release received here. He in his speech during the meeting presented Pakistan”s position on the regional situation and also outlined the country”s overview on the role of the SCO Forum. A joint protocol of Secretaries of the Security Council of the SCO was signed at the meeting. Meanwhile, the NSA also held bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. The Russian NSA Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev extended a special invitation to Dr Moeed Yusuf to visit Moscow.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court ((LHC) on Wednesday granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif in a money laundering and assets beyond means case. The division bench comprising Justice Aalia Neelum and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi announced the short order while allowing post-arrest petition filed by Khawaja Asif on conclusion of arguments of the parties. At the outset of proceedings, a prosecutor on behalf of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) apprised the court about assets and business investments of Khawaja Asif. He submitted that Khawaja Asif received amounts from Dubai but he failed to give a money trail. He submitted that Khawaja Asif did not inform the bureau, whether the amount was received as salary or profit on some investment. At this, Justice Aalia Neelum questioned whether Khawaja Asif received the amount in US dollars or Pakistani rupees. To which, the prosecutor replied that Khawaja Asif received the amount in US dollars but got it exchanged in Pakistani rupees. He further submitted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probe was limited to the extent of Khawaja Asif”s ”Iqama”. The court observed that the FIA also probed the salary issue, and questioned, whether the bureau was also looking into the matter ? To this, the prosecutor replied that FIA only probed the salary but the NAB investigated assets beyond the means of Khawaja Asif. The court questioned, whether Khawaja Asif misused his powers and the bureau had any evidence in this regard. The prosecutor submitted that NAB”s case was not of kick backs or corruption but it was a case of assets beyond means. He submitted that Khawaja Asif had a negative balance of Rs 230 million which further reduced to Rs 150 million. He submitted that the bureau did not mention the fact in its report but it had all the evidence for the purpose. Justice Aalia Neelum observed that different stances of NAB emerged in its two replies. She observed that NAB filed two replies in the matter, which contradict each other. However, the prosecutor stated that it was not the case, adding that Rs 230 million were shown as a negative balance in the first report, whereas, Rs 150 million were negative balance in second report. At this, the bench questioned why the NAB changed time and period in its different reports. To this, the prosecutor replied that it was bona fide of the bureau that it reduced the controversial amount. The court further questioned that it was stated in the NAB report that investigations were in progress, whereas, the investigation officer had stated that the reference had been sent to the NAB chairman for approval. At this stage, the petitioner”s counsel also produced ”Iqama” of Khawaja Asif before the court. The prosecutor submitted that Khawaja Asif received Rs 9000 Dirham as salary and the company did not join the investigations and told that it would reply before a judicial forum, when the bureau contacted it. The petitioner”s counsel argued that Khawaja Asif received Rs 87 million as salary from a Dubai based company. However, the prosecutor stated that the bureau sought all this information from Khawaja Asif but he did not provide the same. Justice Aalia Neelum observed that all the details were given in the Iqama and details of the salary had also been given in documents. The prosecutor submitted that Kahwaja Asif did not declare his income from 2004 to 2011.At this, Justice Aalia Neelum submitted that the bureau acknowledged the Iqama but did not acknowledge its terms. The prosecutor replied that the bureau also did not acknowledge Iqama as it was not verified from any place. He further stated that 161 statements were on record against Khawaja Asif. However, the bench remarked that it had got the Iqama verified. Subsequently, the bench granted bail to Khawaja Asif and directed him to submit surety bonds for the purpose. It is pertinent to mention here that the counsel for Khawaja Asif had already completed his arguments, a day earlier. He pleaded with the court to grant bail to his client as all allegations were baseless. Khawaja Asif was arrested in December last and he filed the petition on March 27 after he was sent to jail on judicial remand in the case.

ISLAMABAD: A division bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday reserved its judgment on maintainability of appeals in Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Flagship Investment and Avenfield Property references, after the accused Muhammad Nawaz Sharif declared absconder. At the outset of hearing, the court instructed the amicus curiae to assist the court on legal point instead of giving arguments on behalf of accused. Giving arguments, Amicus Curiae, Azam Nazir Tarar said that the court had the authority to dismiss the case as there were such examples of many courts in the country. Azam Nazir Tarar said that as the trial could not be conducted in absence of the accused in the same way the appeals also could not be heard. He said that he would give balanced arguments to assist the court. Tarar said that the appeal was also the continuity of the proceedings of trial court. He, however, said that it was fact that one loses his legal rights after being declared absconder. On the occasion, he also quoted the references of various court decisions in similar matter. He argued that if a case was decided on merit in absentia then the accused would have no choice except to file an appeal against the decision. He has a forum and he can raise his points there. Azam Tarar said that it was also important to save valuable time because all this practice would be of no use. The court observed that the appeals of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar would be heard together, adding that if the present accused get any relief then the former prime minister would get too. Azam Nazir Tarar said that another appeal of NAB against the acquittal of Nawaz Sharif was also before the court. Justice Aamer Farooq said that no notice had been issued in the NAB appeal to Nawaz Sharif so far. On this occasion, various judicial decisions were read out by another amicus curiae Makhdoom Hussain. Nazir Tarar said that if we look at all the decisions, then it were of pre-2010, there was only Ikramullah case in post 2010. The Supreme Court had given a clear decision in Hayat Bakhsh case in which the top court had rejected the appeals of the accused that were not present. Nazir Tarar, said that the Dhaka High Court had also decided to close the case of an accused in his absentee. He said that when an accused did not surrender, his case was not taken up. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani asked if the petitioner was a court absconder, then how he would surrender. Azam Nazir Tarar said in this situation, his appeal would also be rejected. The Supreme Court had rejected an appeal if an absconder did not surrender. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani said that we had two appeals, one had three people and one had a single person. Whether we would not hear the case of those who were present in the court, he asked. Tarar said that the court could hear the case of present appellant, adding that it was up to the courts, in some cases appeals were rejected while in others theses were sent to store rooms. Tarar said that the appellant should have open way to file appeals against judgment. Justice Aamer Farooq asked Tarar to assist the bench on legal point as he was not a political activist rather he was a amicus curiae. The bench asked to assist it that how the cases could be proceeded in accused absence. This was court of law and it would not care that who was appellant, Justice Farooq said. Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Bharwana gave references of difference courts’ decision. He said that the same court had granted opportunity to accused to surrender. The same court suspended the decision of trial court and accepted bail of former prime minister. Justice Kiyani observed that the petitioner would have a choice whether to go to Supreme Court or High Court. To a query, the NAB prosecutor said there were three appeals in Avefiled property reference while two appeals were related to Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference. He said that Nawaz Sharif had lost all legal rights after being declared absconder, adding that one could get relief only on appearance before court under Article 10A of the constitution. Bharwana said that the court could hear the appeals of those accused who were present before the court. After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its judgment. A division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani heard the appeals. Maryam Nawaz, Cap. (reted) Safdar and others also appeared on the occasion.

MULTAN: Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) on Wednesday arrested110 people accused of power theft in separate operations launched throughout the South Punjab. Mepco teams accompanying task forces raided at different places in Multan, Vehari, Sahiwal, Rahimyar Khan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, and Dera Ghazi Khan and detected theft of over 143,000 electricity units. A sum of over Rs 2.4 million fine was imposed on them while FIRs were got registered against eight of them over Involvement in tampering with body of meters, direct supply, Installing loop in meters, slowing down meters, meter dead stop and meter screen wash.