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  • Special Division Bench to Hear Appeal of Imran and Qureshi

    Special Division Bench to Hear Appeal of Imran and Qureshi

    The appeal said the lead counsel, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, was contesting the polls and had already requested general adjournment from the Supreme Court and high courts. However, the trial court denied his request…reports Asian Lite News

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday formed a special division bench to hear the appeals of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday against their convictions in the cipher and Toshakhana cases, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

    Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi have challenged the conviction and their 10-year sentences each in the cipher case. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi filed appeals against their conviction in the Toshakhana case. The court has sentenced them to 14 years imprisonment each and asked them to pay a fine of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 1.54 billion.

    The IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, will hear the appeals on Monday. The appeal against conviction in the cipher case stated that the arrest and remand hearing that took place on August 16, 2023, was conducted in the “most objectionable, clandestine, and secretive manner.”

    The IHC division bench said that the prosecution did not produce the complete record before the trial court against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, and the judge indicted Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in haste, according to the Dawn report.

    In the appeal, the two leaders recalled that the IHC division bench had to scrap the trial court proceedings twice due to the “glaring illegalities. However, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain allegedly concluded the trial without following the mandatory procedural requirements.

    The appeal stated that Imran Khan and his lawyer extended all cooperation to the trial court and did not seek unnecessary adjournment to linger on the court proceedings. However, the judge did not ensure a fair trial and the “proceedings were hurried through by the court at a breakneck speed for reasons known only to the court itself,” and the trial ended in less than 20 days.

    According to the appeal, the defence council cross-examined four prosecution witnesses, and the case was adjourned to January 25 when a counsel appeared before the Islamabad High Court and another lawyer had to travel to Lahore for dental surgery, Dawn reported. The case was adjourned to January 27 when the judge appointed state lawyers for Pakistan’s former PM Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi.

    According to the appeal, Khan and Qureshi strongly objected to “these so-called state counsels without their consent but to no avail.” The two leaders then requested the court to make a call to their lead counsel to seek assistance in cross-examination. However, the trial court refused to wait for him.

    In the appeal, it was mentioned that the trial in the cipher case was shifted to a “secret room” and concluded in a “very short span of time.” The appeal in the Toshakhana case alleged that the trial was carried out in violation of the fundamental right to a fair trial, according to Dawn report.

    The appeal stated that Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and their lawyers cooperated with the court. However, Judge Muhammad Bashir on January 29 “suddenly and illegally” closed their right to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.

    The appeal said the lead counsel, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, was contesting the polls and had already requested general adjournment from the Supreme Court and high courts. However, the trial court denied his request.

    According to the appeal, the alternative lawyer Zaheer Abbas was not given reasonable time to prepare for the arguments as the court was “under some undue pressure to decide the case before Feb 8, 2024,” which was the date of Pakistan elections, Dawn reported.

    The appeal stated that defence counsel on January 30 sought to restore cross-examination. However, the request was not approved, and the judge adjourned the hearing until January 31, when he announced the judgement without even recording the statements of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. It said the accountability judge convicted Imran Khan “in a haphazard manner, bypassing the procedure and settled practice [and] under apparent/visible pressure.” (ANI)

    ALSO READ-Imran Seeks IMF Election Audit Before New Loan

  • Imran, Qureshi Indicted in Cipher Case

    Imran, Qureshi Indicted in Cipher Case

    The accusations included violating the Official Secrets Act during their time in office, waving the cipher at a rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, and using the cipher for political purposes…reports Asian Lite News

    A special court in Pakistan reindicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case, accusing them of leaking state secrets and violating national laws.

    The proceedings, presided over by Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqernain, took place in the high-security Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, where both leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party are detained. Facing the judge, Khan, 71, and Qureshi, 67, pleaded not guilty to three charges.

    The accusations included violating the Official Secrets Act during their time in office, waving the cipher at a rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, and using the cipher for political purposes.

    During the hearing, Khan insisted on including in the charge sheet that he had exposed the national and international establishment, questioning the sequence of events that led to his government’s downfall and subsequent accusation.

    He claimed the proceedings were a ‘drama’ aimed at protecting retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and US diplomat Donald Lu. Khan, expressing a lack of fear of the death penalty, asserted that the cipher was designed to topple his government, alleging a concealed conspiracy within it

    Criticizing media restrictions, he called for a fair trial, warning the judge of the responsibility for any unfairness. The judge, in turn, reminded Khan of the courtroom setting and cautioned against an inappropriate tone.

    Khan seeks recusal of IHC CJ

    Imran Khan on Wednesday filed an application seeking recusal of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq from all the benches hearing cases against him, Pakistan-based The News International newspaper reported.

    The News International is an English-language newspaper in Pakistan.

    The former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman moved the application in the IHC, expressing a lack of confidence in Chief Justice Farooq.

    In the application, Khan stated that Justice Farooq, since assuming charge as IHC CJ, had given the impression of a “one-man high court” and had included himself in every single and division bench hearing cases pertaining to Khan, apart from his intra-court appeals.

    It said CJ Farooq had heard 120 applications of the former PTI chairman, alleging that the Toshakhana trial against Khan was conducted against the law because of the IHC chief justice, as per The News International.

    It added that CJ Farooq also heard a case related to the number of dependents of Khan in the election nomination papers. It stated that after the applicant raised objections to the single bench hearing the matter, a three-member bench was constituted, which, through a majority decision, dismissed the case against the former prime minister, according to The News International.

    The application read that CJ Farooq not only removed the majority decision from the court’s website but also issued a press release. It maintained that the applicant had lost trust in the IHC CJ and did not expect justice from him; therefore, he should recuse himself from all the cases related to Khan.

    Recently, an accountability court in Islamabad dismissed the pre-arrest bail plea of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    The accountability court’s judge, Muhammad Bashir, announced the reserved verdict on Imran Khan’s pre-arrest bail plea in the case.

    The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor General, Muzaffar Abbasi, said that the PTI founder’s bail petition was rejected.

    He said that the arrest orders would be implemented and the anti-corruption watchdog would seek the accused’s remand tomorrow.

    ALSO READ-Imran Fights Back, Petition Filed in Lahore HC

  • Qureshi turns dissenter after being overlooked by Imran

    Qureshi turns dissenter after being overlooked by Imran

    Some of the Ministries that could not find their place among the list were Foreign Affairs, Finance, Information Technology, Housing, Information and Environment…writes Sanjeev Sharma

    A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan rewarded the top 10 ministries on the basis of their performance, some federal cabinet members expressed reservations for being overlooked, Dawn news reported.

    Sources in some ministries told Dawn news that the list published on Thursday has created bitterness within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) ranks after many frontline Ministries were dropped.

    Some of the Ministries that could not find their place among the list were Foreign Affairs, Finance, Information Technology, Housing, Information and Environment.

    In fact, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also the vice president of the ruling party, even wrote a letter to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Arbab Shahzad, expressing serious reservations over placing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 11th spot.

    The criteria on which the top 10 ministries were judged and a subsequent report presented to the Prime Minister were prepared by Shahzad.

    According to the sources, two government allies — the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), which held the IT and Housing Ministries, respectively � were also dejected for not being acknowledged despite showing �outstanding performance’.

    In his letter, Qureshi expressed reservations over both the performance of Ministers and distribution of certificates among them.

    Later, Shahzad said in a TV programme that it was the right of Qureshi to oppose the report, adding the document was prepared on the basis of available data.

    “If Mr Qureshi thinks that his ministry should have come on the top position, it is his right (to think that way). But what we have mentioned in the report, it was based on the data we received,” he added.

    ALSO READ: ‘Ghettoisation’: Pak’s Qureshi rakes up India’s hijab row

  • Qureshi calls on UN chief for decisive role on Kashmir issue

    Qureshi calls on UN chief for decisive role on Kashmir issue

    Qureshi briefed Guterres about what he called serious human rights violations in the “Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, including incarceration of political leaders and extra-judicial killings…reports Asian Lite News.

    Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take decisive measures and ensure implementation of the UN Charter and the UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and play a key role in resolving the longstanding dispute.

    “Pakistan desires normal relations with India, however, the onus is on India to create an atmosphere to enable meaningful engagement,” the Minister said during his interaction with the Guterres in New York.

    Qureshi also renewed his invitation to India for a dialogue and said that the only solution to the Kashmir dispute is through talks, based on the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

    “India is running away from table talks with Pakistan on Kashmir,” he said.

    Qureshi briefed Guterres about what he called serious human rights violations in the “Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir”, including incarceration of political leaders and extra-judicial killings.

    The Foreign Minister also brushed aside the criticism on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, by the opposition political parties, for selling of the Kashmir cause, stating that the premier can never compromise on the Kashmir cause as he is the “Ambassador of the Kashmir cause and is the voice of the people of Kashmiris to the world”.

    “Let this be clear, Pakistan’s position on the issue of Kashmir is very clear. There can be no talks until India reverses its decision of August 5, 2019,” he insisted.

    Talking about his visit to New York for the Palestinian cause, Qureshi said that his visit to attend the UNGA session on Palestine was “an expression of Pakistan’s support for the legitimate case of the Palestinian people for their right to self-determination”.

    Qureshi called for a collective effort to end the human tragedy in Palestine, aimed at averting threats to regional peace.

    He demanded the UN to constitute an “International Protection Force” to ensure safety and security of the Palestinian people.

    “If the world body cannot do it, a coalition of willing can be formed for the purpose.”

    ALSO READ-Qureshi Visit Cements Pak-Iran Ties

    READ MORE-Qureshi reaffirms Pak support for Afghan peace process

  • Nothing about Kashmir is India’s internal matter, says Pak

    Nothing about Kashmir is India’s internal matter, says Pak

    Foreign Minister Qureshi says that the possibility of talks with India would only happen if the situation in J&K improves, reports Hamza Ameer

    Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that when it comes to the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, no decision on the subject can be India’s internal matter.

    Qureshi said the final settlement of what he called ‘Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)’ dispute lies in the United Nation Security Council’s (UNSC) resolution, calling for a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices.

    “Let me be clear: Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognised dispute on the @UNSecurity Council agenda. Final settlement of the dispute lies in #UNSCresolution calling for free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. Nothing about J&K can be India’s internal matter,” Qureshi tweeted on Monday.

    He also said that the possibility of talks with India at any level would only happen if the situation in Jammu and Kashmir improves, insisting that the J&K dispute is an internationally recognised issue.

    “Kashmir is not bilateral; rather an internationally recognised issue as there are numerous UN Security Council resolutions on it,” Qureshi said.

    He also highlighted that if India and Pakistan want sustaining and lasting peace in the region, they would have to put the Kashmir dispute on the table and find a resolution to the matter through dialogue.

    Qureshi said that resolution to the Kashmir dispute can only happen as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

    Pak welcomes UAE’s role

    Talking about the role of the UAE in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan, Qureshi said Pakistan is comfortable with the Gulf nation’s role.

    “We want to move ahead, but in order to get there, India, which is responsible for vitiating the environment, will have to create a conducive and enabling environment for dialogue to take place,” he said.

    “Pakistan would appreciate anyone and everyone, including the UAE, to play a positive and constructive role, but the initiative will have to be indigenous,” he added.

    PML-N lashes out at Qureshi  

    Meanwhile, PML-N has called out the government over Qureshi’s recent statement. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s spokesperson Mohammad Zubair was not happy over the minister’s comments.

    “Is this a historical U-turn. FM Shah Mahmood says Pakistan has no issue with India’s decision to do away with article 370. Shah Mahmood says this is India’s internal matter. This means Pakistan has agreed to give up its historical stance that Kashmir is a disputed territory,” he tweeted.

    The former Sindh governor explained that by revoking Article 370, India had made occupied Kashmir a part of its Union Territory, wondering that if Pakistan accepts it as such, then what happened to its decades-old stance.

    “Then what was the hue & cry for decades especially since 2019?” he asked.

    “In my opinion, Article 370 does not hold [the same level of] importance,” the foreign minister had said during a private interview, a few days ago. “[What is of importance is] Article 35-A. In my opinion, the important part of their constitution of Article 35-A.”

    When asked whether India had given some assurances to Pakistan on whether it wants to proceed with talks, the foreign minister replied, “See, [Article] 370 is their internal problem. The people of occupied Kashmir complain [to the Indian government] that you had made some promises to us but have ended up eliminating our identity. So, you see, these are their own frustrations and the matter is also pending before the Supreme Court and the people [of occupied Kashmir] have challenged it as well.”

    Also Read-India Blasts Pakistan, Turkey, OIC Over Kashmir Comments

    Read More-‘Pak willing to talk if India revisits its Kashmir move’

  • Qureshi Visit Cements Pak-Iran Ties

    Qureshi Visit Cements Pak-Iran Ties

    President Rouhani also offered support and cooperation to Pakistan in ensuring peace in Afghanistan, adding, “peace and stability could be ensured through regional mechanisms”

    Pakistan and Iran are making headways towards increasing bilateral cooperation with border security and establishment of trade markets along the borders.

    Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran

    Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is on a three-day visit to Iran, said that the relations between the two countries are moving towards positive cooperation.

    “Fraternal relations between the two countries had deepened during the visit,” he said.

    “Iranian President Hassan Rouhani acknowledged that bilateral relation between Pakistan and Iran had improved. Pakistan has signed MoU with Iran to open trade centres in border areas.”

    On the other hand, Rouhani highlighted that border security remained as the prime point of concern for Pakistan and Iran, which he said “could be tackled through greater cooperation between the two neighbours”.

    “Security is a common concern for the two countries, and the development of relations in this regard is imperative,” he said.

    An MoU was also signed to open the third cross-border market at Mand-Pishin border crossing point to enhance bilateral trade.

    But border security and cross-border movement of terrorists has been one of the prime issues of distrust between the two countries for some time.

    The 909 km-long border between Pakistan and Iran is filled with operating terror groups, criminal gangs, human traffickers and drug traffickers.

    Terror attacks targeted at locals on both sides along with attacks on security forces on both sides, have kept relations between the two countries stretched.

    President Rouhani also offered support and cooperation to Pakistan in ensuring peace in Afghanistan, adding, “peace and stability could be ensured through regional mechanisms”.

    “Iran and Pakistan, as two most important and effective neighbouring countries to Afghanistan, should increase cooperation and interaction for the development of the peace process in the country,” he said.

    Qureshi stated that “Pakistan has vociferously expressed serious concern over the increasing trend of Islamophobia in the West, which was being fanned by certain extremist elements”.

    “Pakistan does not oppose the right to freedom of speech and expression, but this did not give anyone the right to hurt other’s feelings. Certain incidents in the past regarding publications of blasphemous sketches and statements hurt the sentiments of the entire Muslim ummah, including Pakistani nation,” he said.

    Both countries have also expressed desire and intent to complete the unimplemented agreements, including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, which has been pending for long.

    Qureshi stated that both Pakistan and Iran realize the need to enhance bilateral relations and play progressive role in increasing people-to-people contact.

  • Pak FM rules out meeting with Jaishankar

    Pak FM rules out meeting with Jaishankar

    “I don’t think a meeting is set out with the Indian Foreign Minister… We want peace in the region and cordial ties with all our neighbours including India,” Qureshi added…reports Asian Lite News

    Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has ruled out backchannel talks with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar, who is also in the Gulf country.

    “I am here for a bilateral visit and not an India-specific agenda. My agenda is UAE-Pakistan and not India-Pakistan,” The Express Tribune quoted Qureshi as saying to reporters in Dubai on Sunday, a day after reaching the UAE, putting an end to speculations of a possible meeting with Jaishankar.

    “I don’t think a meeting is set out with the Indian Foreign Minister… We want peace in the region and cordial ties with all our neighbours including India,” he added.

    The Minister welcomed the UAE’s mediation in resolving Pakistan’s issues with India.

    “We welcome third-party facilitation but no matter what friends say, the initiative has to be indigenous,” he added.

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