Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has ruled that confessional statements made by an accused while in police custody and recorded by the media are inadmissible in court, warning that such media-facilitated confessions can undermine the presumption of innocence and irreparably damage the accused and the judicial process.

“A confession made by such an accused while in custody of a police officer cannot be proved against him/her unless made in the immediate presence of a Magistrate,” states the 25-page judgment authored by Justice Athar Minallah.

The bench was hearing a criminal appeal in which the accused, earlier sentenced to death by the trial court and whose conviction was upheld by the high court based on circumstantial evidence and his televised confession, was acquitted by the SC.

“It is not uncommon for a reporter to be given access to interview and record a statement of the accused and then disseminate it for information of the public. The news regarding a crime is always of interest to the people, particularly when the case is of high profile or the nature of the crime is of interest to the general public. An unusual interest of the public could lead to a media trial and the consequences could be irretrievable, not only for the accused but the victims as well.”

The judgment warned that such trials could also obstruct justice by enabling wrongful convictions.

“The public interest may also be harmed by preventing the actual perpetrators of the crime from being held to account and instead facilitating the conviction of an innocent person on the basis of a perceived imputation of guilt,” it said.

Justice Minallah noted that media holds enormous power to shape narratives – whether true or false – and this influence can wreak irreparable harm on the reputation and lives of not only the accused but also their families.

“The media has the unique power to make heroes or villains, intentionally or unintentionally, and such powers are susceptible to be abused in a society where the State suppresses freedom of expression and manipulates the media.”

In such a context, the judgment underscores that an even greater ethical responsibility lies on the media. “A greater responsibility rests with the media to strictly observe high standards of ethical codes in order to strike a balance between the rights of parties involved in criminal proceedings and the public interest i.e. what information should be disseminated to the general public.”

The judgment noted that the bedrock of the criminal justice system was the right to a fair trial, rooted in the presumption of innocence. “The guilt can only be proved in a trial before a competent court. The investigation ought to be conducted strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the law i.e the Cr.P.C. and, that too, by a person authorised in this regard.”

Justice Minallah stressed that every effort must be made by investigators to protect the rights of the accused. “Extreme caution and care are required to be exercised by those associated with the process of investigation to safeguard the rights of an accused – his or her right to be presumed innocent, the right to privacy, reputation, respect for private life and the lives of the family members and the right against self-incrimination.”

Those involved in criminal investigations must not act in ways that create or support perceptions of guilt. “It is an onerous obligation of the investigators, prosecutors and other persons associated with the task of investigation to prevent the creation of perception and bias by acting in any manner likely to impute guilt.”

The court also called on media to uphold the dignity of both the accused and victims.

“It is also the responsibility of the media, in any form, to respect the rights of an accused as well as the victims while reporting on matters relating to criminal proceedings. A disproportionate and excessive media spotlight and the manner in which it is presented is likely to create perceptions of guilt and influence the public as well as those who are associated with the criminal proceedings.”

In this regard, Justice Minallah acknowledged that judicial officers are not immune. “The judicial officers are also humans and in this age of information and technology it would not be wrong to assume that they may also be susceptible to be influenced by the media coverage. This is a universal phenomenon.”

LAHORE:

Amid preparations to file a reference against PTI’s 26 suspended MPAs, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has reiterated that he is not in favour of expelling any member from the house but any lawmaker who violates the constitutional oath will inevitably face action.

Addressing a press conference, he said he would not politicise disqualification, but if a reference is received under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, it must be decided accordingly.

He said that under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, it is the right of the petitioners to have their applications decided within 30 days. He made it clear that if these applications are not resolved within the stipulated time, they will automatically be forwarded to the Election Commission.

The speaker said that the opposition had been given every possible democratic space in the past – from chairing standing committees to leading the Public Accounts Committee – but unfortunately the opposition had turned the assembly into a forum for constant disruption.

Speaker Khan said the opposition is portraying disorder as a political right, but there is no such provision in the Constitution.

He said parliament is meant for legislation, not protest.

He stated that he does not believe in the politics of disqualifying anyone, as practised by PTI. However, if anyone violates constitutional boundaries or undermines the discipline of the house against party decisions, he will not hesitate to take action, he added.

He added that he holds no grudge against any party or leader but is committed to upholding the sanctity of the house. Any member who violates their constitutional oath will inevitably face action.

The speaker stated that such actions in the past laid the foundation for undermining democracy. He said he would not politicise disqualification, but if a reference is received under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, it must be decided accordingly.

He also expressed hope that the government and opposition will engage in meaningful dialogue in the coming days to improve the atmosphere of the house, so that the Punjab Assembly can truly serve as the representative forum of the 120 million people of the province.

The speaker appears to be facing a new front of criticism in attempting to counter censure from treasury lawmakers accusing him of favoring the opposition.

He had also faced accusations of failing to maintain order during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speeches.

Speaker Khan had been accommodating opposition lawmakers in the house proceedings by granting them sufficient time and allowing them to speak on points of order. Sometimes he was also witnessed adopting a harsh tone with some treasury members.

An impression had bene gaining strength among the treasury benches that that the speaker was favouring the opposition. But he was of the view that he should take along the opposition and the treasury side by side and it was not appropriate to take strict action over petty issues.

At one stage, the treasury members had stopped bothering about the opposition’s protests, but called for silence during the speeches of the chief minister. The opposition members also often remained confined to their chairs rather than protesting in front of the speaker’s dais.

The opposition admired the speaker’s conduct but also tried to create maximum disruption during the CM’s speech.

When CM Maryam Nawaz spoke on June 27, the opposition appeared more aggressive, perhaps in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats. This led to the preparation of the reference.

KARACHI:

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has immediately suspended the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and has constituted an investigation committee, which will submit its report on the tragic incident within two days.

Sharjeel Memon expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic incident of building collapse in Lyari while addressing a press conference on Monday. He said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired an emergency meeting and decided that strict action would be taken against irresponsible and corrupt officers and officials.

The investigation committee, headed by the Commissioner Karachi, has been instructed to immediately demolish 51 extremely dilapidated buildings in the city. Another 588 unsafe buildings will also be inspected to ensure that hazardous structures are vacated and demolished in a timely manner.

Saeed Ghani stated that the affected families will be given Rs one million each as compensation. He further said that all officers who have been posted in the affected area since 2022 will be included in the inquiry, and a case will be registered against officers whose negligence is proven.

Home Minister Lanjar stated that action would be taken against those responsible for criminal negligence.

In response to a question, the senior minister said that the government is reviewing the situation in slum areas, noting that 740 buildings across Sindh require repairs.

He added that relocating residents would not pose a problem, as similar arrangements were successfully implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and for flood victims.

Answering a question, Saeed Ghani said that illegal constructions are a serious issue in Karachi and it is the responsibility of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to prevent them. He added that amendments to the SBCA rules are underway, and suggestions have been sought within two weeks to enable effective action against illegal constructions and derelict buildings.

He added that the government is also considering whether the authority to demolish buildings should remain with the SBCA or be entrusted to a private institution.

Senior Minister Sharjeel was accompanied by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, and Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla.

ISLAMABAD:

The first round of additional secretary-level talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been completed, focusing on the implementation of decisions made during Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Kabul on April 19.

The discussions centered around key areas of mutual interest, including trade, transit cooperation, security, and connectivity.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Pakistani delegation was led by Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and Western Asia Ali Asad Gilani while the Afghan delegation was headed by Moti Noor Ahmad Noor, Director-General of the Political Division of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the talks, both sides recognised terrorism as a significant threat to regional peace and security. Pakistan emphasised the need for decisive actions against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, stressing that such groups undermine Pakistan’s security and hinder regional development.

The two delegations also reviewed the progress of various agreements, including the removal of the 10% processing fee in Afghan transit trade, the provision of insurance guarantees, reductions in scanning procedures, and the activation of the track-and-trace system.

Additionally, the discussions covered the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway framework agreement, with both sides agreeing to finalise it soon. The return of Afghan citizens to their homeland was also a key topic of discussion.

The briefing revealed that since January 2024, Pakistan has issued over 500,000 visas for medical, tourism, business, and educational purposes. Both sides reiterated their commitment to facilitating legal movement of individuals across borders and enhancing bilateral ties.

The next round of talks will be scheduled at mutually agreed-upon dates, with both countries reaffirming their support for strengthening sustainable cooperation to address shared challenges.

ISLAMABAD:

Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Parliamentary Party Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, categorically rejected any change in the President’s office, calling reports on the matter baseless.

“There is no proposal under consideration at any level to replace President Asif Zardari. He is performing excellently in his role as the constitutional head of state,” he stated.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also dismissed rumours about the possible removal of President Asif Ali Zardari, stating that some people are uncomfortable because politicians, the government and the military stand united.

“For the first time, politicians, the government and the military establishment are on the same page, and that bothers certain individuals. These people are spreading such stories,” Naqvi, who does not belong to any of the ruling parties but is regarded close to Zardari, said on Saturday.

Speaking to a private news channel, Siddiqui mentioned that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stands with PML-N. He appreciated PPP’s positive role in supporting the government, however, he clarified that supporting the government does not mean agreeing on everything.

Read More: Naqvi dispels Zardari removal rumours

He also highlighted Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s commendable role in diplomacy, noting that he has played a highly positive role in representing Pakistan’s interests on the international stage.

Moreover, in response to rumours about a supposed meeting between PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, Siddiqui called the claim completely false and baseless.

“The problem is that, following the conclusion of recent wars and the decline of Tehreek-e-Insaf and Imran Khan’s influence, the media is struggling to find new topics and has resorted to sensationalism,” he remarked.

On another issue, the senator said that the path Imran Khan has chosen is one of isolation. He noted the division within PTI, which he sees as the biggest challenge for him. He suggested that it would be better for Khan to first negotiate within his own party.

Also Read: Deputy PM dismisses reports of Nawaz-Imran meeting as rumours

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had also denied reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan, calling them baseless and part of a “sponsored narrative” aimed at creating political confusion.

“These are baseless speculations—it could be someone’s wish list. We don’t need to approach anyone,” he said.

Senator Siddiqui added that whether Nawaz Sharif holds a public or party office, he remains the most influential figure in Pakistan, and his opinion is considered in all major decisions.

In response to a question about whether the general elections will be held on time, he stated that elections will take place once the constitutional term has been completed.

Regarding the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, he clarified that there is no proposal under consideration for Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to rejoin PML-N. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited him only to inquire about his health, and nothing beyond that took place,” he confirmed.

ISLAMABAD: Swat Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan — key cradles of the Indus river — are battling deadly floods triggered by relentless monsoon rains and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), exposing Pakistan’s weak climate governance and the fragility of its disaster response.At least 72 people have died nationwide, including 14 in Swat and 23 in Astore (Gilgit-Baltistan) where a passenger bus plunged into a swollen river. Another 25 people were rescued from the surging Indus near Shadi Khan in Punjab’s Attock district.Swat’s flash floods were triggered by a GLOF in Kalam Mitaltan area, while accelerated glacier melt in Gilgit-Baltistan has swelled rivers such as the Hunza, Kunjrab, and Shimshal Braldu. In both regions, roads, bridges, and homes have been swept away, leaving mountain communities stranded.“No early warning systems, no modern rescue equipment – Swat is left to drown, again,” said Ambreen Ali, a local activist, echoing growing public frustration.Once a prized alpine tourist destination, Swat continues to reel from its past under Taliban rule (2007–2009). Despite a military-led recovery and donor-funded rebuilding, this summer’s floods have damaged rebuilt infrastructure, including hotels in Kalam and Bahrain and the Mankial bridge, a lifeline for remote villages.In Gilgit-Baltistan, floodwaters threaten power lines and roads in Diamer, Skardu, and Astore, while downstream provinces fear the Indus’s surging flow. In Sindh, farmers worry that floods – exacerbated by dam releases upstream – will drown their fields.The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) blames a 67% rainfall deficit last winter for intensifying water stress. With only 150 cubic meters of per capita water storage, Pakistan is among the most water-insecure countries globally, retaining just 10% of its river flows.But it’s not just Pakistan that’s vulnerable.India, which shares the Himalayan watershed and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, faces similar climate pressures. The 2022 floods, which killed 1,700 in Pakistan and inundated Indian regions, underscored the shared ecological risks tied to glacial retreat and erratic monsoons.The IWT, signed in 1960, has come under renewed strain. India suspended the treaty on April 23, 2025 following a terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This halted data-sharing on river flows, leaving Pakistan exposed during the monsoon season.Pakistan suspects India’s water infrastructure push – including the Shahpurkandi and Ujh dams – could further disrupt downstream flows. But India too faces its own water anxieties, including unilateral dam operations and growing glacier-related threats in its Himalayan catchments.Analysts warn that lack of coordination on flood management could have catastrophic consequences for both countries. Experts call for restoring data exchange under IWT, investing in joint watershed management, and building early warning systems. With over 3,000 glacial lakes in Pakistan alone, the risk of future GLOFs looms large.As Swat mourns its dead and Gilgit-Baltistan braces for more floods, the Indus – a lifeline for both nations – is turning into a symbol of shared peril.