ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday held that employees transferred from Telephone and Telegraph (T&T) to Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation and subsequently to the PTCL retain their right to pension benefits.
By a majority of two to one, the SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi observed that while these employees ceased to be civil servants, the statutory framework governing their transfer safeguarded their pension entitlements in full.
The three-judge bench had taken up a set of appeals against multiple judgements of high courts on the pension entitlement of the employees of erstwhile T&T.
The judgement, supported by Justice Aminuddin Khan, stated that the PTCL and Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust are duty-bound to ensure the full measure of these entitlements is met.
Justice Ayesha Malik dissented, allowing PTCL/PTET’s appeals and denying claims for federal parity in pensions.
The court’s decision has significant implications for the pension rights of thousands of employees who were transferred from government departments to state-owned enterprises.
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has said collaboration between the judiciary and human rights bodies was vital to ensure access to justice for all, especially the vulnerable and marginalised segments of society.
The CJP made these remarks in a meeting with the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) chairman, Rabiya Javeri Agha, on Thursday.
The meeting discussed initiatives for the protection and promotion of human rights, according to an official statement.
CJP Afridi appreciated the NCHR for its efforts to address rights-based challenges.
IFJ asks apex court to review Peca, directs govt to amend it
Ms Agha briefed the CJP on NCHR’s ongoing initiatives, policy interventions and monitoring mechanisms related to the implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards for fundamental rights.
They reaffirmed the need for coordination among state institutions to address systemic gaps in the human rights protection framework.
The CJP emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to upholding constitutional values, due process, and the protection of citizens’ fundamental freedoms.
The meeting ended with a “shared resolve to work collectively for a more just, inclusive and rights-respecting society,” the official statement added.
Peca review
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) secretary general, Anthony Bellanger, has requested the Supreme Court to review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) as a matter of priority and provide necessary directions to the government to amend the law.
In his letter addressing the CJP, Mr Bellanger said “swift action” was needed to “address this critical situation for Pakistan’s media and pro-tect press freedom as guaranteed in Article 19 of Pakistan’s constitution”.
The letter was delivered to the apex court on Thursday by Shakeel Ahmad, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) secretary general.
The letter stated the increased political polarisation, widespread protests and social disruption meant media professionals across Pakistan were “facing increased challenges while performing their duties”.
They are also facing a “heightened level of legal persecution including litigation, intimidation and cases filed under Peca”.
“We understand that Pakistan is a signatory of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Conventions that confer freedom of speech and expression and key democratic rights, but the curtailing of these fundamental rights under Peca is of great concern for the IFJ and international journalist community,” the letter explained.
Imran intends to bring his sons into politics, alleges Senator Irfan – Daily Times
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
The Federal Anti-Corruption Court has acquitted Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani in nine cases related to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) mega corruption scandal.
The court announced its verdict on Thursday on Gilani’s acquittal pleas. The PPP leader, who served as the country’s prime minister between 2008 and 2012, appeared in court during the hearing along with other co-accused.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered 26 cases in relation to the scandal. Gilani had already been acquitted in three of those cases previously.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, the Senate chairman said he had been facing these cases for 12 years. “Some of those who were then students are now appearing as prosecutors in the case. Delay in justice is equivalent to denial of justice,” he said.
Gilani’s lawyer Farooq H. Naek, speaking to the media, said a total of 26 cases were registered in 2013-14 despite the fact that similar allegations were levelled in all of them.
“Yousuf Raza Gilani was accused of receiving Rs5 million [as kickback], not directly but allegedly through a person named Zubair. No witness ever claimed that Gilani personally received the money. The court had already acquitted him in three cases. Now, nine more acquittals have been granted,” he said.
Naek said the FIA’s appeal against the acquittals was pending in a high court.
A lower court in Islamabad on Thursday acquitted former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in a case linked to the 2022 Azadi March.
Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah announced the reserved verdict, approving the acquittal request submitted by Asad Qaiser in the Azadi March case.
The case was registered at Kohsar Police Station during the political protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. Qaiser was among several party leaders accused of violating public order during the march.
During the hearing, Qaiser’s legal team argued that the charges were politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence.
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday maintained the arrest warrants of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and also ordered to initiate the process to declare former minister Amir Mahmood Kayani proclaimed offender.
ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sapra heard the case. The court maintained the arrest warrants of Gandapur for his continuous non-appearance despite being summoned in the Faizabad protest case on the disqualification of the founder of PTI.
During the hearing, Ilyas Siddiqui, Raja Zahoor, and others appeared in the court on behalf of the accused.
Police have raided the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) office and taken nine senior officials into custody for interrogation, including a retired director.
An FIR was officially registered on Wednesday, naming senior SBCA officials and the owners of the collapsed building.
Following its registration, the FIR was formally sealed by police.
The case pertains to the collapse of a five-storey residential building on Fida Hussain Shaikha Road in the Baghdadi area of Lyari on July 4.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 27 people and injured 11 others. The incident sparked outrage and a high-level investigation into the cause and accountability.
Among those detained are Additional Director General SBCA Irfan Naqvi, Zargham Shah, Retired Director Asif Rizvi, Chalis Siddiqui, Ashfaq Khokhar, Deputy Director Faheem Siddiqui, Assistant Director Zulfiqar Shah, and Faheem Murtaza.
The owners of the building have also been taken into custody for questioning.
Sources say the SBCA officials are being interrogated over alleged involvement in illegal constructions in Lyari and their failure to prevent structural violations.
Authorities are continuing efforts to track down and arrest all individuals named in the FIR.
Governor Sindh initiates relief efforts for those affected by the demolition of dilapidated buildings in Lyari. The Governor’s House has started providing daily meals to the affected families.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed officials to develop a comprehensive reform plan aimed at transforming Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) into a globally competitive powerhouse in the maritime sector.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Sharif reviewed the corporation’s restructuring efforts, operational performance, and ambitious expansion strategies. He underscored the vast untapped potential of Pakistan’s shipping industry, urging the swift formulation of policies to entice private sector investment.
“The shipping sector holds immense promise for investment. A comprehensive plan must be crafted to actively encourage private sector participation,” the prime minister stressed, according to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
In a clear signal of intent, Sharif called for urgent measures to boost the PNSC fleet and promote its vessels for domestic cargo transport on a fiercely competitive footing.
He also instructed officials to bring in industry experts and consultants to align the corporation’s operations with international best practices.
The reforms, he asserted, would not only slash Pakistan’s dependence on foreign shipping firms and conserve precious foreign exchange but also open up fresh employment opportunities for Pakistani seafarers.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers, Ahad Cheema and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, alongside senior officials. Participants were updated on PNSC’s current fleet size, the scale of Pakistan’s annual cargo movement, and bold plans for future growth.
Russia views Pakistan key partner in economy, energy growth
Eyes August cargo rail link
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – A top Russian official on Thursday described Pakistan as an “important partner” in the region’s economic and energy development and called the two countries “natural allies” during a meeting in Moscow, according to an official statement issued by the foreign office in Islamabad.
The remarks were made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk during an interaction with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, and SAPM on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan.
The delegation is currently in Moscow it attend INNOPROM, Russia’s largest annual industrial trade fair, which brings together government delegations, business leaders and technology firms from over 30 countries to explore partnerships in manufacturing, engineering and high-tech industries.
During the meeting, the Pakistani official said relations with Russia remained a key foreign policy priority for Islamabad. Overchuk also recalled his visit to Pakistan last year to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit where he was hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Characterizing Pakistan and Russia as ‘natural allies’, he stressed that President [Vladimir] Putin considered Pakistan as an important partner in the growth and development of economy and energy in the region,” the foreign office said in a statement released after the meeting.
“He also highlighted the significance of important connectivity projects between two countries, such as the railway connectivity between Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia, and the launching of pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025,” it added.
The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, including the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan and the Middle East. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation at multilateral forums.
Prime Minister Sharif’s adviser on industries and production highlighted the government’s investment-friendly policies and ongoing discussions on establishing a new steel mill in Karachi, describing it as a potential “leap forward” in Pakistan-Russia cooperation and a revival of a key legacy project.
Originally built in the 1970s with Soviet assistance, the Pakistan Steel Mills stood for national self-sufficiency for decades before becoming non-operational in 2015 due to prolonged financial mismanagement, political interference and mounting losses. Talks are now underway between the two countries to launch a new steel mill project in Karachi.
Welcoming the high-level visit, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said President Putin remained committed to expanding cooperation with Islamabad across all major sectors.
He also conveyed that the Russian president looked forward to meeting the Pakistani prime minister on the sidelines of the upcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State summit in Tianjin, China, later this August.
‘ ;
var i = Math.floor(r_text.length * Math.random());
document.write(r_text[i]);
