Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

Electricity consumers are likely to get a relief of Rs1.6911 per unit on account of fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for July 2025, subject to approval by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

NEPRA has scheduled a public hearing on August 28, 2025, to review the Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Limited’s (CPPA-G) request for a downward revision in FCA for ex-WAPDA distribution companies.

According to data submitted by CPPA-G, the actual fuel costs during July were lower than the reference charges approved earlier. The agency has sought a reduction of Rs1.6911 per unit from the reference fuel charge of Rs9.8758 per unit. If approved, the move will provide significant relief to electricity consumers of ex-WAPDA distribution companies in their upcoming billing cycles.

During July, total electricity generation stood at 14,123 gigawatt-hours. Hydropower was the largest contributor, accounting for 40% of the energy mix. Local coal contributed 11% while imported coal added nearly 15%. Gas-based generation stood at 8%, regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) at 13%, and nuclear power provided more than 17%. Renewable energy also played a role, with wind contributing over 4% and solar just under 1%. Imports from Iran made up 0.25% of the total supply. After adjusting for transmission losses of nearly 3%, the net energy delivered to distribution companies was recorded at 13,666 gigawatt-hours.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy has issued new policy guidelines following approval by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on August 19, 2025. NEPRA has been directed to ensure uniform application of FCA across the country. This means that the FCA determined for ex-WAPDA distribution companies will also apply to K-Electric consumers through tariff rationalisation.

Under the guidelines, the same rate and application period must be enforced for both K-Electric and other distribution companies. Any difference between the monthly FCA determined for K-Electric and the notified rate will be adjusted either through subsidy or cross-subsidy. The uniform FCA application policy has been effective since June 2025 and was charged in consumer bills for August 2025.

NEPRA has invited all stakeholders and affected parties to participate in the hearing and submit written or oral objections as allowed under law. Relevant documents, including the CPPA-G request, the Ministry of Energy’s letter, and past NEPRA determinations, have been made available on the authority’s official website.

The regulator’s upcoming decision will determine whether electricity consumers receive relief in their July bills, offering much-needed respite at a time of persistently high energy costs.

ISLAMABAD:

There are over 600,000 mosques and 23,000 factories in Pakistan, while the services sector employs 45% of the total workforce, debunking the myth that industry is the country’s main job-creating sector, according to the findings of Pakistan’s first-ever economic census.

The economic census also revealed that out of a total of 40 million permanent units in Pakistan, there were about 7.2 million employment structures where 25.4 million people were working as of 2023. The information had been obtained as part of the population census, but the report was officially released on Thursday by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal. It was the third such detailed report launched by the planning ministry after the population census and the agriculture census, completing the missing pieces that had hindered information-based economic planning in Pakistan since 1947.

The report showed that Punjab and Karachi Division have the highest concentration of both economic establishments and workforce. It highlighted that there were 600,000 mosques in Pakistan, and over 36,000 religious seminaries, predominantly in Punjab. However, there were only 23,000 factories in addition to 643,000 small production units.

Out of a total workforce of 25.4 million, the largest proportion is engaged in the services sector, accounting for 45% or 11.3 million, according to the report. This is followed by the social sector with 30% or 7.6 million workers. The production sector employed only 22% of the total workforce, which is half the number of people working in the services sector.

Punjab has the largest workforce, with 13.6 million workers, leading in both the production and services sectors. Sindh follows with 5.7 million workers, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has 4 million workers and Balochistan with a workforce of only 1.4 million.

The report showed that most businesses in Pakistan are small scale, employing only a handful of people, partly because the service sector is considered less job intensive. As many as 7.1 million economic structures employ between 1 and 50 people. The number of firms employing between 51 and 250 is merely 35,351, while there are only 7,086 units that employ more than 250 people.

“Credible data is the backbone of sustainable development, as it enables evidence-based planning and effective decision-making,” said Iqbal while speaking at the launching ceremony. He emphasised that even artificial intelligence cannot function effectively without reliable data, noting that in the digital economy, data is the true fuel driving growth. The report further showed that out of 7.2 million recorded establishments that have also been geo-tagged, major classifications include 2.7 million retail shops, 188,000 wholesale shops, 256,000 hotels, and 119,000 hospitals. There were also 242,000 schools, 11,568 colleges, 214 universities, 604,000 mosques, and 19,645 banks. The country has 29,836 public offices and 10,452 semi-government offices.

The objectives of the economic census are to provide a complete and detailed picture of the structure and characteristics of the economy and to collect information on the nature of activity, size, employment, and ownership of establishments. Iqbal noted that while neighbouring countries have conducted regular economic censuses since 1977, Pakistan had lagged behind. An attempt was made in 2003 but failed when activity-related questions were added into the population census framework. India has conducted seven economic censuses, while Bangladesh, which separated from Pakistan in 1971, has so far conducted three.

Out of 7.2 million economic structures, approximately 3.2 million establishments lie in the category of wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. About 696,000 establishments belong to manufacturing, while the number of establishments involved in education stands at 326,000. A majority of establishments in Pakistan fall under the services sector with 58%, followed by the production sector at 25% and the social sector at 14%. A small proportion of 3% is classified as “others,” indicating limited activity outside these main sectors.

There are a total of 242,616 schools, mostly government-run, and 11,568 colleges, with a slightly higher share in the private sector. The country has 214 universities, 36,331 madrassas, and 119,789 hospitals, where private facilities make up the majority. Overall, Punjab leads in both public and private institutions. About 5.6 million households are engaged in some form of economic activity, and more than half – 51.4% – are involved in animal farming, making it the most common activity. Around 41% of households are engaged in various other unspecified or miscellaneous activities. Some 3.9% of households are involved in tailoring, while embroidery accounts for 1.4%, and poultry farming 1.3%. Smaller percentages are engaged in food packing or preparation at home, beauty parlours, and online services, each contributing less than 1%.

Most of the structures in Pakistan are in Punjab, which has 58% of the total establishments. Sindh has 20%, followed by K-P with 15%. Balochistan accounts for 6%, while Islamabad has the smallest share with only 1%. This means Punjab has the highest number of structures. In contrast, the relatively lower percentages for Balochistan and Islamabad reflect their lower density of physical structures compared to other regions.

Residential structures make up the largest share at 79.4% of total buildings, indicating a strong focus on housing. K-P has the highest proportion of residential structures at 81.6%. Overall, Pakistan’s infrastructure is predominantly residential, with less emphasis on mixed-use or purely economic buildings. The total number of multi-story structures in Pakistan is 114,148, of which 64.4% are multi-story residential, 29% are mixed-use residential and economic, and 6.7% are purely economic structures. Sindh accounts for a majority of multi-story residential structures.

ISLAMABAD: The DIG Investigation, Punjab, has confirmed the arrest of Aleema Khan’s son in connection with the May 9 protest cases and stated that he would be produced before the court on Friday morning (today).

Speaking to Geo News, Syed Zeeshan Raza, DIG Investigation, Punjab, said that Shahrez Khan was wanted in the May 9 cases. “Those defying the state cannot be given any concession and must face the law,” said DIG Zeeshan Raza.

Earlier, Aleema Khan announced on Thursday that four armed, masked men kidnapped her son, Shahrez Khan, from her house in Lahore. She explained that the intruders entered through the kitchen, and although Shahrez was upstairs with his wife and father, they forced their way into the house and even harassed the drivers.

The PTI vehemently condemned the abduction, calling it a chilling example of state terror, cowardice, and extreme political victimisation. Their Central Media Department stated that the assailants broke down doors, violently assaulted household staff, and abducted Shahrez from his bedroom, all while family members were subjected to severe psychological distress. Notably, just one day prior, Shahrez and his wife had been stopped at Lahore Airport when attempting to travel abroad, with their detention preceding the house abduction.

PTI emphasised that Shahrez has no political involvement and was targeted solely due to his familial connection with Imran Khan. The party accused the current regime, specifically naming Maryam Nawaz, of orchestrating the operation, branding the government as morally, legally, and politically bankrupt. “You couldn’t break Imran Khan, so now you are targeting his sisters and their children,” the party statement said, warning that such tyrannical actions invite public collapse of the regime. At a press conference, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja echoed these claims, stating that Aleema’s residence was attacked by plain clothed assailants, her son was kidnapped, and staff were beaten.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, speaking on Geo News said the Lahore police chief denied arresting Shahrez. He emphasised that until evidence is presented, the allegations would remain unverified. However in any event, Shahrez would be produced in court within 24 hours.

KARACHI  –  Member Technical NEPRA Rafique Ahmed Shaikh visited K-Electric’s Central Control Room to review the power supply situation amid the ongoing heavy rainfall in Karachi. Moonis Alvi, CEO KE, and senior management of the power utility briefed the NEPRA official on the utility’s operational response, network stability, and restoration progress.

Member NEPRA issued specific directions to ensure electrical safety for both citizens and field teams and instructed NEPRA officers to also remain present at the KE Control Room to facilitate the public. KE CEO Moonis Alvi and other KE officials assured Member NEPRA that as the rain spell settles, restoration of the remaining feeders would be completed at high priority. Member NEPRA also directed the utility to utilise all available resources to manage the current emergency situation effectively with safety remaining paramount.

Moonis Alvi shared that power supply had been restored to over 90% of Karachi by the evening at the onset of second day of the rain spell, following the city’s heaviest rainfall since 2020, with 130 to 170 mm recorded across different areas. Acknowledging public sentiment during the downpour, the CEO also appreciated the efforts of civic agencies. “We are grateful to the Sindh government, city administration, and all relevant institutions for their timely efforts in draining water from major roads, which allowed our field teams to reach affected areas more quickly and resolve localised faults. While waterlogging and traffic congestion initially delayed our staff from reaching certain sites, the situation improved late on Tuesday night, drastically reducing the number of affected feeders. We deeply appreciate the patience and cooperation of our customers as we work to fully restore supply.”

Highlighting the company’s focus on safety, he added, “We urge citizens to be extremely cautious while using electrical equipment during the monsoon rain. Appliances should be properly earthed, and water pumps must never be operated with wet hands or feet. Our teams have been clearly instructed to prioritize safe practices during restoration.” While feeder-level restoration across Karachi has largely normalised, KE continues to treat the situation with urgency due to ongoing rain forecasts shared by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Field teams remain active on ground, restoring faults and implementing safety shutdowns. The utility remains vigilant, with operations and support teams working round-the-clock to respond to any emerging faults and ensure public safety. The company’s management is also closely coordinating with civic agencies and the city administration to ensure a timely and effective response as weather conditions evolve.

KE reiterates its appeal to the public to avoid any kind of contact with power infrastructure, maintain safe distance especially during and after rains, and to report unsafe and emergency conditions via the 118 call center. KE’s WhatsApp service, KE Live App and social media channels are available for customers to lodge complaints about localised and isolated faults.

KHAR: More than 30 militants were killed in a powerful explosion inside a mosque in the remote Hilki area of Charmang, near the Afghan border, in Bajaur district on Thursday.

Officials sources said the militants, who had converted the mosque into a base for planning terrorist activities in the district, were storing a large quantity of explosives inside. The cache detonated unexpectedly, they said, killing all those present. According to initial reports, the group was preparing for a major terror attack when their explosives went off.

The blast reduced the mosque hideout into rubble. No civilian casualties were reported in the explosion.

Authorities confirmed that all those killed were militants and described the incident as a major blow to terrorist networks operating in the border region. The security forces launched a targeted operation against terrorists in Mamund area of Bajaur district recently.

KARACHI: Torrential rains in Karachi have claimed 17 lives and caused devastating losses to local businesses, as floodwaters inundated markets, shops, and godowns, destroying goods and disrupting trade. As rains persist, traders are growing increasingly frustrated, with forecasts predicting more wet weather in the coming days. They are calling on the provincial government for assistance in recovering their losses.

Sharjeel Gopalani, Patron-in-Chief of the All City Tajir Ittehad (ACTI), stated that traders in Karachi’s old city areas alone had reported significant damage to between 150 and 200 shops, many of which dealt in clothing. Other sectors, such as the furniture market, were also hit hard by the floods. “Preliminary reports from areas like Orangi, Landhi, Malir, Korangi, and Lyari suggest that more than 1,000 shops and godowns have been affected,” Gopalani said. He also noted that even posh areas like DHA had seen extensive damage, particularly to basement godowns.

In addition to damage to goods, Gopalani claimed that over 200 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, were severely affected by the urban flooding.

Torrential rains damaged over 1,000 shops and godowns

The ACTI plans to submit a detailed list of the affected traders to the provincial government, hoping to secure compensation. Initial estimates place the total trade losses at Rs14-15bn, encompassing both goods and vehicles.

Gopalani also raised concerns about the lingering floodwaters in Karachi’s old city markets, where the pumping stations have been out of service since the rains began, further exacerbating the situation.

Businessmen Group (BMG) Chairman Zubair Motiwala and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani urged the Sindh government to offer immediate compensation to affected shopkeepers. They recommended freezing provincial taxes in light of the widespread devastation. “The KCCI stands with the affected shopkeepers and is ready to facilitate their communication with the government for prompt relief,” Motiwala and Bilwani said in a joint statement.

The industrial sector has also suffered severely. Many factories have had their production halted due to prolonged power outages, as K-Electric has failed to restore the electricity supply for over 36 hours. “Both residential and industrial areas have faced repeated power tripping, leaving residents and businesses without power,” they explained. In response, they called for the deferral of electricity and gas bill payments until the situation stabilises, noting that business activities across Karachi are nearly at a standstill.

Despite being the economic engine of the country, Karachi continues to suffer from neglect, the business leaders said, with little reinvestment in the city’s dilapidated infrastructure. Motiwala and Bilwani recalled letters sent to the Sindh’s chief minister and others in April, which had warned of the potential for such disasters if the city’s drainage systems were not improved.

“The government ignored these warnings, and tragically, many lives could have been saved had the necessary steps been taken,” they said.

“Cleaning the city’s nullahs and improving the sewerage infrastructure was critical, but no action was taken in time.

“The city needs year-round maintenance and an effective strategy to manage stormwater, sewage, and flood risks,” they stressed, urging the government to declare an emergency in Karachi.

Published in Dawn, August 22th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economic landscape is predominantly shaped by micro and small enterprises, with 95 per cent of all establishments employing fewer than 10 workers, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ (PBS) Economic Census 2023, released on Thursday. The findings highlight the critical role these small-scale businesses play in the country’s economy.

The census reveals that the wholesale and retail trade sector leads with 2.9 million establishments, followed by manufacturing (696,558), education (326,868), and human health and social work (123,973). These sectors underscore the diverse range of economic activities across Pakistan.

Household-based economic activities are another key pillar of Pakistan’s informal economy. With 10.9 million units engaged in various livelihoods, the informal sector is a major contributor to income diversification and employment. Animal farming leads this segment with 5.6 million units, followed by sectors such as tailoring, embroidery, carpet weaving, small-scale poultry, and tuition centres. These enterprises not only provide critical sources of income but also contribute to women’s empowerment and rural employment.

The PBS has successfully concluded the 2023 Economic Census, a significant milestone integrated with the 7th Population & Housing Census 2023, Pakistan’s first-ever digital census. This integration, which saved Rs7bn in costs and reduced duplication of efforts, provides a consolidated baseline for future socio-economic planning and development.

Economic Census reveals enterprises with fewer than 10 workers account for 95pc of businesses

The census mapped a total of 7m economic establishments across Pakistan, categorising them into 99 industrial sectors under the Pakistan Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC). Dr Naeem uz Zafar, Chief Statistician at the PBS, emphasised the strategic value of the Statistical Business Register (SBR), providing policymakers with integrated data for targeted interventions.

The results also show that 28.5pc of households are involved in home-based economic activities, further highlighting the informal sector’s essential role in fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing women’s empowerment, and boosting rural employment.

Dr Zafar stressed that the initiative lays the foundation for Pakistan’s first-ever SBR, which will serve as a critical tool for SME development, enterprise surveys, labour market analysis, and digital economy expansion.

He called for greater policy focus on the informal sector, alongside the traditional large-scale industries, to facilitate broader economic transformation.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal commended the census data, noting that it provides a solid foundation for interventions aimed at inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

Sarwar Gondal, focal person for the Digital Census at PBS, hailed the integration of economic data with the 7th Population & Housing Census as a groundbreaking initiative. Despite the challenging timeline, the PBS team, supported by over 121,000 trained enumerators, successfully implemented IT-based solutions, resulting in a comprehensive economic database that will aid future policy and development efforts.

Published in Dawn, August 22th, 2025

MUZAFFARABAD: A man accused of spying for India and sharing sensitive information in return for hefty payments was handed over to Saddar police after interrogation.

Police sources said an FIR against Mohammad Ubaid Jahangir, a resident of Dhakki Basniar Kuiyan village on the outskirts of Rawalakot, had been kept secret to facilitate smooth investigation after his arrest by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on July 23.

He was later shifted to Saddar Police Station, Muzaffarabad.

According to the FIR, a copy of which was seen by Dawn, the suspect had been spying for India’s intelligence agency, supplying photographs of sensitive installations and other classified information in exchange for large sums of money.

In particular, he had sent via WhatsApp and other digital devices the GPS location and photographs of Bilal Masjid in Muzaffarabad’s Shawai neighbourhood, which was struck by Indian missiles on the night of May 6, the document stated.

The FIR maintained that his conduct was prejudicial to the interests and security of Pakistan and the State of Jammu and Kashmir, amounting to offences under Section 3/3A of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

He was also booked under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The case was registered on the complaint of ASI Mushtaq Ahmed, in-charge of the Field Investigation Unit of CTD in Muzaffarabad.

Confirming the development, SHO Saddar Naveedul Hassan said the FIR had been kept confidential until the completion of initial interrogation.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2025

• Explosion followed by fire, which engulfed three-storey building on M.A. Jinnah Road
• Officials say store was operating illegally in basement, its licence had expired

KARACHI: A man and a teenage boy were killed and 33 others were injured in a huge explosion that ripped through a firecracker warehouse and shop, operating in the basement of a three-storey commercial and residential building on M.A. Jinnah Road, near Taj Medical Complex on Thursday afternoon.

The blast was so powerful that it damaged pillars and walls of the building and cement blocks were hurled through the air, falling onto parked vehicles nearby. Windowpane of the nearby buildings and vehicles were also smashed.

Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed told Dawn that the police brought the body of 16-year-old Asad Wakeel, who was killed in the firecracker store. While one of the critically injured patients, Kashif, also died during treatment at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

The police surgeon said that the autopsy of Asad was held who had sustained burns. He had died due to inhalation of toxic gases produced from the explosive material.

The police surgeon said 20 other injured people were also brought to the JPMC, including two with critical wounds while 14 other men were taken to the Trauma Centre of the Civil Hospital Karachi with two in critical condition.

She said the condition of other wounded people was being evaluated. South DIG Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that the blast occurred at Al-Amna Plaza.

“The blast occurred in the fireworks stock of ‘Hanif Patakha’, which were stored in the warehouse where two ‘display centres’ were also located,” said the senior official.

He said “preliminary” reports suggested that the fire was triggered due to an “electric spark”.

He said approximately 20-25 individuals, including Hanif (the owner) were injured while some others had been rescued.

Fire brigade vehicles and personnel of the bomb disposal squad, and law enforcement agencies were present at the scene and took part in rescue and fire control efforts and investigations.

“A similar incident had occurred about two years ago on the same premises in the parking area due to the similar causes,” the DIG recalled.

Rescue-1122 spokesperson Hassaan Ul Haseeb Khan told Dawn that there was a ground-plus three-storey building named Al-Amna Plaza on M.A. Jinnah Road near Taj Complex where families lived on upper floors.

A warehouse named Super Fire Works was operating in its basement. He said raw material used for preparation of firecrackers was also stored there.

He said during the initial probe, it appeared that a short circuit triggered the fire and a huge explosion took place because of the presence of explosive material.

Mr Khan added that 12 fire tenders were sent for firefighting.

He said that because explosive materials were stored there, the fire kept reigniting due to the heat.

The firemen were facing difficulties as there were fumes and smoke in the basement. He said the fire was controlled up to 60-70 per cent and efforts were underway to it put out completely.

Licence ‘expired’

The DIG said as per relevant laws, the federal interior minister gives a licence for over 50kg firecrackers storage while for under 50kg storage, the provincial government gives licences.

Under explosive related laws, it is mandatory for relevant officials to carry out inspections of storage sites of fireworks and in case of any violations of the laws, the authorities can seize the material, and take action against violators.

He said the DC South had given a licence for keeping fireworks not exceeding 50kg, but the owner had allegedly stored more than 50kg of fireworks material.

He said the owner claimed that they had been working for ‘entertainment’ fireworks since 1958 with the name of Super Fire Work International. The official added that the licence given to the fireworks store by the DC South had already expired on December 31st, 2024.

‘Illegal’ fireworks store

Counter-Terrorism Department’s senior official Raja Umer Khattab, who visited the spot, told journalists that people call it firecracker material, but there was “explosive material”.

He said as per relevant laws, up to 50 kilograms of firecrackers material may be stored or kept in a shop with certain conditions and standard operating procedures.

Elaborating further, the counter-terrorism expert said that it was mandatory that the firecracker material shops/stores should be away from a petrol pump and residential areas.

He said firecrackers were imported and manufactured as well in Pakistan. In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, only licensed-holders can manufacture or import firecrackers.

Mr Khattab claimed that there was no “industry or factory for manufacturing firecrackers” in Sindh.

He estimated that over 50kg of firecracker material might be stored in the basement and termed the presence of such a huge quantity in a residential area as highly dangerous.

“The people do not consider it hazard as they just call it entertainment fireworks,” lamented the CTD official, adding that this warehouse was ‘illegally’ established in the residential area.

Published in Dawn, August 22th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

Since the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the Supreme Court on Thursday granted the first relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan by accepting his bail petitions in eight cases linked to the May 9, 2023 violent incidents.

According to legal minds, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi passed a very cautious order, which could be considered as an attempt to provide a win-win situation for both sides — the prosecution and the petitioner.

Many lawyers had expected the apex court to remand the matter back to the Lahore High Court (LHC) — which had rejected the bail application in June — for re-hearing. However, the SC bench led by Chief Justice Afridi granted bail.

The court refrained from commenting on the LHC judgment that had declared Imran Khan the perpetrator of the May 9 conspiracy. Lawyers noted that while the LHC had denied bail on conspiracy charges, the apex court extended relief to Khan.

Former additional attorney general Tariq Mahmood Khokhar said that the LHC, while refusing bail to Imran Khan, recorded “definite findings” on contested facts, thereby straying beyond its jurisdiction, prejudicing the trial, and undermining the presumption of innocence.

“Such an approach is impermissible in bail jurisprudence. Superior courts across all rule-of-law jurisdictions have consistently disapproved of this course, and our own jurisprudence, though chequered, has hitherto been no exception to the universally accepted principle,” he said.

Khokhar stated that the LHC erred fundamentally — whether out of ignorance, incompetence, or mala fides. “Many observers believe, regrettably, a combination of all three,” he opined.

Still, he stated, more troubling is the response of the Supreme Court. In paragraph 7 of its order, it noted the “definite findings” but failed to draw the necessary conclusions. “This omission, at once institutional and personal, is astonishingly inexplicable.”

Khokhar believed that the Supreme Court ought to have reaffirmed the impermissibility of such findings, disapproved the high court’s observations, and clarified that they should stand effaced, with the trial court proceedings uninfluenced.

“In cases such as this, precedents exist for passing strictures against the errant judges. Even amidst the ravages of our judicial, constitutional and democratic ruins, the chief justice had an opportunity to avoid the worst and enhance the moral and public legitimacy of a failing institution; the opportunity was missed.”

The adjournments of the two preceding dates of hearings, gave rise to a public perception that the court and the prosecution were in sync, operating in visible alignment, he continued. He added that the absence of judicial disapproval and displeasure at the high court’s “definite findings” reinforced a generally-held belief that the chief justice lacked “authority”.

The eventual grant of bail was a relief and therefore most welcome to the nation here and its diaspora abroad, but unfortunately it was considered a consequence not of judicial assertion, but of a shift in State policy.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, who himself is an accused in the May 9 cases said that the Supreme Court had clearly set aside the LHC’s overreach in its decision of rejecting Imran’s bail, but it stopped short of reprimanding the LHC judges.

Notably, this is not the first time the same LHC bench has had its decision overturned by the Supreme Court. It appeared that certain LHC judges were positioning themselves as an appellate court, asserting their views above Supreme Court judgments.

Chaudhry stated that if the Supreme Court did not curb this tendency, it would “severely undermine the hierarchical order of the courts,” he added.

While commenting on the written order, Sarwar Muzaffar Shah advocate said that the ruling reminded him of a tribute to American judge Frank Caprio, whom he had been reading about earlier in the day. “He was loved and respected because he believed that law should serve the people; and he did not consider it blind,” Shah said.

While the substance of the order was correct, Shah said, it remained weak. “It follows the motto that law is blind. This order should have been a strong one, considering what is happening in our country – the erosion of judicial independence through executive interference and the weakening of public trust in our justice system,” he said.

“An ideal judicial order is the one in which the court demonstrates both judicial acumen and judicial courage. However, this order does not demonstrate either. It shows that the court is characteristically playing too safe. Playing too safe is proving dangerous for the justice system of our country,” he added.

Since the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, there is perception that the superior courts are unable to protect the rights of those who are aggrieved with executive’s actions.

“CJ Afridi and the three-members of constitutional benches committee are being considered as the biggest beneficiary of 26th Constitutional Amendment. They are facing battle of perception. CJ Afridi needs to be aware that institution’s reputation will be restored through judgments rather than reforms agenda with the collaboration of the executive.”