Category: 1. Pakistan

QUETTA  –  The 7th Muharram procession ended peacefully in the provincial capital Quetta on Thursday.

The procession took out from Imambargah Kalan Prince Road which was lead by Ashiq Hussain of Balochistan Shia Conference.

The procession included 7 mourning groups and passed through traditional routes such as Prince Road, Art School Road, Archer Road, Liaquat Bazaar and reached Imambargah Nasir-ul-Aza and ended peacefully.

Strict security arrangements were made on routes of the procession in the Quetta.

Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), Police, Balochistan Constabulary personnel were deployed for security.

A day before the procession, the security forces sealed the shops, markets, plazas and plazas coming along the route in the presence of representatives of the Anjuman-e-Tajran Balochistan.

PESHAWAR  –  In line with the special directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a delegation of provincial ministers and members provincial assembly  paid a visit to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), on Thursday to inquire after those injured in the recent Bajaur blast.

The visiting delegation included Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru, Minister for Agriculture Sajjad Barkawal, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health Ehtesham Ali Khan Advocate, MPA Naeem Khan, Dr. Israr, Dr. Hameed, and Ali Shah Khan.

The officials visited various wards, inquired about the health and well-being of the injured, and conveyed their prayers and best wishes for their speedy recovery.

During the visit, the ministers instructed the hospital administration to ensure provision of the best possible medical care and support to all victims without any delay or negligence.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru condemned the cowardly act of terrorism, stating: “The terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious and inhumane objectives. We have made sacrifices for peace in the past and will continue to do so whenever required.”

The ministers reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the province and expressed solidarity with the affected families.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Thursday directed an inquiry committee, probing recent multiple deaths due to flooding in Swat, to submit report after its finalisation.

A bench consisting of PHC Chief Justice Syed Mohammad Attique Shah and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali ordered the government to conduct an impartial and across the board operation for removing encroachments along the Swat River.

The bench was informed by head of three-member inquiry committee Khayyam Hassan Khan that they had visited Swat and had been probing the incident for the last four days.

He said that they had observed lapses on part of some of individuals and departments during flash floods in Swat and would highlight it in the report.

Committee head says he will highlight negligence by some individuals and depts

The bench was hearing two petitions related to the Swat incident of June 27, during which 13 persons stuck in gushing floodwater were killed near Fizzagut, Swat.

One of the petitions is filed by a lawyer Naeem Ahmad Khattak, seeking directives of court for respondents including government to take effective measures and remove obstacles/encroachments throughout KP near riverbeds.

Another petition is filed by a citizen, Amir Alam, for ordering a judicial inquiry into the ‘circumstances’ that led to deaths of several people during the floods in Swat as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for ‘political’ purposes.

The petitioner has sought directives for law enforcement agencies and accountability authorities to look into alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes and proceed strictly in accordance with law if cognisable offences were committed.

Advocates Babar Khan Yousafzai and Nasir Khan appeared for the petitioners, whereas KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel appeared for the government.

The chairman of the inquiry committee, Khayyam Hassan, also turned up along with some of divisional commissioners.

When the bench inquired who was the inquiry officer probing the incident, Mr Khayyam, the chairman of Provincial Inspection Team, informed the bench that provincial government had constituted the inquiry committee under his chairmanship.

He stated that the other two members of the committee were the inspector general of prisons, Mohammad Usman, and the director (admin) of excise and taxation department, Sheharyar Qamar. He said that according to the notification, the committee had to complete its probe within seven days.

Mr Khayyam said that according to terms of reference of the committee, they had to inquire into multiple aspects of the incident. He said that they were assigned to conduct thorough and impartial investigation into the flash flood incident, which had resulted into loss of precious lives.

He said that that they would assess and identify lapses or negligence on part of government functionaries and tourists. He said that they would also identify the individuals or institutions involved in any lapse regarding compliance of safety and fix responsibilities.

He said that they would put forward recommendations in order to avoid such tragic incidents in future and ensure strict adherence to safety measures.

Shah Faisal Uthmankhel informed the bench that government and administration in Swat had started an anti-encroachments drive along the Swat River that was facing certain hurdles.

The PHC chief justice observed that the court was aware that certain quarters would be exerting pressure in the drive. The bench directed him to continue with the operation without extending favour to any person.

The petitioners’ lawyers stated that government was having two helicopters and if it intended it could have saved lives of the deceased persons. The petitioners have also requested the court to issue directives for the respondents to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the Swat River.

They said that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Thursday directed an inquiry committee, probing recent multiple deaths due to flooding in Swat, to submit report after its finalisation.

A bench consisting of PHC Chief Justice Syed Mohammad Attique Shah and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali ordered the government to conduct an impartial and across the board operation for removing encroachments along the Swat River.

The bench was informed by head of three-member inquiry committee Khayyam Hassan Khan that they had visited Swat and had been probing the incident for the last four days.

He said that they had observed lapses on part of some of individuals and departments during flash floods in Swat and would highlight it in the report.

Committee head says he will highlight negligence by some individuals and depts

The bench was hearing two petitions related to the Swat incident of June 27, during which 13 persons stuck in gushing floodwater were killed near Fizzagut, Swat.

One of the petitions is filed by a lawyer Naeem Ahmad Khattak, seeking directives of court for respondents including government to take effective measures and remove obstacles/encroachments throughout KP near riverbeds.

Another petition is filed by a citizen, Amir Alam, for ordering a judicial inquiry into the ‘circumstances’ that led to deaths of several people during the floods in Swat as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for ‘political’ purposes.

The petitioner has sought directives for law enforcement agencies and accountability authorities to look into alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes and proceed strictly in accordance with law if cognisable offences were committed.

Advocates Babar Khan Yousafzai and Nasir Khan appeared for the petitioners, whereas KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel appeared for the government.

The chairman of the inquiry committee, Khayyam Hassan, also turned up along with some of divisional commissioners.

When the bench inquired who was the inquiry officer probing the incident, Mr Khayyam, the chairman of Provincial Inspection Team, informed the bench that provincial government had constituted the inquiry committee under his chairmanship.

He stated that the other two members of the committee were the inspector general of prisons, Mohammad Usman, and the director (admin) of excise and taxation department, Sheharyar Qamar. He said that according to the notification, the committee had to complete its probe within seven days.

Mr Khayyam said that according to terms of reference of the committee, they had to inquire into multiple aspects of the incident. He said that they were assigned to conduct thorough and impartial investigation into the flash flood incident, which had resulted into loss of precious lives.

He said that that they would assess and identify lapses or negligence on part of government functionaries and tourists. He said that they would also identify the individuals or institutions involved in any lapse regarding compliance of safety and fix responsibilities.

He said that they would put forward recommendations in order to avoid such tragic incidents in future and ensure strict adherence to safety measures.

Shah Faisal Uthmankhel informed the bench that government and administration in Swat had started an anti-encroachments drive along the Swat River that was facing certain hurdles.

The PHC chief justice observed that the court was aware that certain quarters would be exerting pressure in the drive. The bench directed him to continue with the operation without extending favour to any person.

The petitioners’ lawyers stated that government was having two helicopters and if it intended it could have saved lives of the deceased persons. The petitioners have also requested the court to issue directives for the respondents to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the Swat River.

They said that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

DERA ISMAIL KHAN/KOHAT: Two main mourning processions and ‘Zuljinnah’ were taken out amid tight security on Thursday.

The mourners reciting Noha and beating their chests took out the first procession from Masjid Latu-Faqir which culminated peacefully at Imambargah Haider Shah Sherazi after passing through its designated routes.

Likewise, another mourning procession appeared from Imambargha Haider Shah Sherazi which ended peacefully at Masjid Latu-Faqir after passing through its traditional routes.

According to the district police, tight security measures were in place as personnel of the law enforcement agencies along with Shia community volunteers escorted mourning processions.

DPO Sajad Ahmad Sahibzada carried out a comprehensive inspection of Muharram procession routes and security checkpoints across the city to ensure foolproof arrangements during the holy month. During his visit, the DPO examined the entry and exit routes of processions as well as barricade points near Imambargahs.

He directed officers and personnel deployed at these sites to remain extremely alert and perform their duties with utmost diligence.

MPA Ahmad Karim Khan Kundi on Thursday visited village Ghulamay Wala and inspected the routes of mourning processions on Muharram 7th, following the directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Khan Kundi.

During his visit, the MPA met with Imambargah administrators and mourners, acknowledging their efforts in maintaining peaceful observances.

In Kohat, mourning processions of 7th Muharram also concluded peacefully in the most sensitive areas of Hangu and Kohat districts amid tight security of army and frontier constabulary, while the main bazaars remained closed for allowing the processions to pass peacefully.

In Hangu district, mourners from about a dozen imambargahs met at the Qaumi imamabargah at Shahu where sermons were held.

Earlier, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Motasim Billah Shah along with the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majeed Marwat, Deputy Commissioner Hangu, Gohar Zaman Wazir and District Polcie Officer Hangu Khalid Khan, paid a surprise visit to various Imambargahs in the Hangu city late on Wednesday night, and inspected the routes of the mourning processions.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday set aside the conviction of suspects who had allegedly ransacked the Ramna police station on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

A divisional bench of the IHC resumed hearing the appeals filed against the conviction of the May 9 suspects.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), on May 30, had convicted Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and sentenced him to a cumulative 27 years of imprisonment for attacking the Ramna police station during the violent May 9 riots.

On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters, protesting the arrest of party founder Imran Khan, staged violent demonstrations across the country, vandalising military installations and state-owned buildings, and also attacked the Lahore corps commander’s residence.

Following the riots, thousands of protesters, including party leaders, were arrested.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra handed down the sentence under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code after finding the convicts guilty of attacking the Ramna police station during the riots.

MNA Abdul Latif, who was elected from NA-1 Chitral, was not present in court when the verdict was announced.

The judge told the convicts that 20 witnesses, including magistrates, had recorded testimonies against them, and noted that protests should be peaceful and participants should not take the law into their own hands.

Arguing before the division bench, PTI’s counsel Dr Babar Awan, along with his legal team comprising Barrister Abdullah Babar, Amna Ali and Advocate Sardar Masroof, rejected the prosecution’s claim that the suspects attacked the police station.

At the outset, when the judges took up the application seeking suspension of the sentence, Dr Awan argued that the case lacked evidence and acquittal was imminent.

He requested the court to hear the main appeals instead of the application for suspension of sentence.

During the course of arguments, Dr Awan stated that the accused could be charged with violating Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but could not be prosecuted under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

He pointed out that the ATC law could not be invoked for exercising the fundamental right of peaceful assembly.

He claimed the prosecution had recovered a baton, a PTI-coloured cap, and the party’s flag from the suspects.

He argued that the investigating agency had not recovered any weapons from the suspects’ custody.

Dr Awan further pointed out that in the Noor Mukaddam case, the Supreme Court had termed CCTV footage a “silent witness.”

However, in the May 9 violence case, no footage had been produced before the trial court to substantiate the allegations against the convicts.

After hearing the arguments, the bench acquitted the accused who were present in court.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who had been convicted in connection with the May 9 riots.

The convicts had challenged their sentences in the IHC.

Earlier, the ATC, headed by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, had sentenced Sohail Khan, Mohammad Akram, Shahzeb and Mira Khan to 10 years in prison on May 30 for their alleged involvement in attacking a police station in Islamabad’s Ramna area.

The convicts had been charged under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing official duty), 188 (disobeying order of a public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault on public servants), 436 (arson) and 440 (mischief); Section 144 of CrPC; and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

They were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 7 ATA, five years under Section 324 of PPC, four under Section 436, two each under sections 353 and 148.

In total, 11 PTI members, including MNA Abdul Latif, were sentenced, but only four were arrested while the remaining suspects are still at large.

May 9, 2023, refers to the day when former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was taken into custody by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises on charges of corruption.

The PTI founder’s arrest sparked countrywide protests, during which demonstrators allegedly belonging to the former ruling party vandalized state-owned buildings and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, commonly known as Jinnah House.

Following the protests, several PTI leaders and workers were arrested on various charges, including setting government infrastructure on fire.

On Thursday, a divisional bench of IHC comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo overturned the verdict of ATC, declaring the sentences void after hearing arguments from both sides.

PTI lawyers, including Babar Awan, Sardar Masroof and Amna Ali, represented the appellants in the IHC.

Awan argued that out of nine prosecution witnesses, only one — ASI Muhammad Sharif — identified the accused. He said no injuries were reported despite allegations of gunfire.

“Punish for crimes proven, but do not turn the system into a joke,” he told the court.

Justice Somroo questioned the prosecution about the evidence to which the prosecutor responded that evidence existed but requested additional time to present it. The court, however, rejected this plea, observing that all arguments had already been heard.

The bench noted that no medico-legal certificates (MLCs) or injured persons were presented and questioned the basis for convictions without proving the accused were present at the crime scene.

The IHC observed that none of the witnesses had stated in their testimonies that the accused were present at the site.

The bench further questioned whether the court was now expected to convict solely on the basis of an identification parade.

 

 

ISLAMABAD:

Salaried individuals have paid a staggering Rs555 billion in income tax in the last fiscal year, which were Rs188 billion more than the preceding year and also 100% more than the combined taxes paid by retailers and real estate sector.

The record-high contributions by people, who pay income tax on the gross salaries without having the luxury to adjust their expenses, substantially reduced the home-take salaries of a larger segment of society.

According to provisional figures compiled by the Federal Board of Revenue, the salaried persons paid Rs555 billion in income tax during the fiscal year 2024-25. The unwilling contributions were 51% or Rs188 billion more than the taxes collected from the salaried persons in the preceding fiscal year.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, the government had collected Rs367 billion from the salaried persons. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had phenomenally increased the tax burden of the salaried class and claimed it would generate only Rs75 billion in additional income taxes.

The highest ever contributions by the salaried persons in a single year showed how the voiceless people have been discriminated against the powerful sectors of the country.

Last month, the government marginally reduced the tax burden of the people earning up to Rs3.2 million annually, which it said would give them a benefit of Rs56 billion. This nominal benefit of Rs56 billion compared to the current contributions is like a drop in the bucket, which would not address the fiscal woes of the salaried individuals.

Despite putting enormous burden on the salaried class, the FBR missed its annual collection target by a margin of around Rs1.2 trillion.

The details showed that non-corporate sector employees paid Rs236.5 billion income tax in the last fiscal year, which is higher by Rs67 billion or 40%. Corporate sector employees paid Rs165 billion in income tax, also higher by Rs54.6 billion or 49%.

Employees of the provincial governments paid Rs99.5 billion in taxes, which was up by Rs49 billion or 98%. The federal government employees paid Rs54.2 billion, higher by Rs17 billion or 45%.

Total income tax payments during the last fiscal year were Rs5.8 trillion and the salaried class paid Rs1 out of every Rs10 collected from the entire country under the head of income tax.

In contrast to Rs555 billion paid by the salaried persons, the retailers, mostly unregistered, have contributed only Rs38 billion on account of withholding income tax on their purchases. The amount of tax that traders paid under section 236-H was 1,360% less than taxes paid by salaried persons.

Besides, wholesalers and distributors also paid Rs25 billion withholding tax in the last fiscal year and almost half of them were unregistered with the FBR, said the sources.

PM Sharif could not live up to his promise of collecting due taxes from the retailers. The Tajir Dost scheme failed to yield desired results and the government has not announced any new measure in the budget to bring the retailers in the tax net.

Its biggest enforcement measure to ban the economic transactions by ineligible persons has become effectively useless after the government exempted more than 90% transactions from the purview of the new law. The government has allowed the ineligible persons, those having not enough declared resources, to buy up to Rs7 million worth of a car, Rs50 million worth plot and Rs100 million commercial property.

In the budget, the government had imposed 2.5% withholding tax on traders, in the hope that this would force them to come into the tax system. Though the increase in the rate did help collect Rs21 billion more from the traders, the intended objective could not be achieved. The traders passed on the cost of the additional tax to the end consumers.

In the last budget, the government had also substantially increased the tax burden of the real estate sector by increasing the rates for the non-filers and also introducing a new category of late filers in the budget.

As a result, during the last fiscal year, the government collected Rs237 billion on sales and purchase of properties. This helped increase collection by 19% compared to the previous fiscal year but it was still below the mark.

The combined taxes paid by both retailers and the real estate sector were 100% less than the total contributions by the salaried persons.

On the sale of properties, the government collected Rs119 billion on account of withholding taxes, which were one-fourth more than the preceding fiscal year. On the purchases of the plots, the government collected another Rs118 billion, also higher by 14%.

In the new budget, the government has abolished the federal excise duty on the real estate sector. The net taxes on the sales and purchases remained unchanged, although the government shifted higher burden towards the sellers by increasing their withholding tax rates.

ISLAMABAD:

Supreme Court Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has urged the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to share the minutes of all its meetings during tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi.

In a letter written on June 25 to the JCP secretary, Justice Shah raised concern for not sharing the minutes of the JCP meetings to the public.

“I raise an issue of institutional concern: the commission’s discontinuation of the practice of releasing the minutes of its meetings to the public,” says the letter.

Justice Shah believes that the judiciary, as a trend-setter for other state institutions, must hold itself to the highest standards of openness and public accountability.

“The appointment of judges is a public act with far-reaching consequences. The people of Pakistan have a right to know how the judges of the top court in the country are selected, what deliberations take place, and whether constitutional standards are applied in good faith.

“The opacity that now surrounds the Commission’s workings is not healthy, not democratic, and not consistent with the Supreme Court’s image as the guardian of constitutional values,” says the letter.

He; therefore, urges the commission that the minutes of all JCP meetings held during the tenure of the current chairperson (CJP Afridi) be released to the public, in accordance with past practice.

Abdul Moiz Jaferii advocate said that the central premise of the newly instituted processes related to the judiciary was that the method and process of judicial appointments be made more transparent.

A basic feature of this transparency was the releasing of minutes which let the people see the process of determination. This has now ceased. Without reason, he adds.

After the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the executive has dominancy in the process of judges appointment as well as selection of judges for the constitutional benches.

There is no explanation as why the senior judges were not nominated for constitutional benches in Supreme Court as well as Sindh High Court.

There is no explanation as to why dissenting judges are being sidelined by the commission.

Recently, the JCP ignored the appointment of senior most judges for their appointment as chief justices of the high court.

A lawyer says that they were just ignored because they were not government’s like-minded’ judges.

Similarly, with valid reason, some senior judges, especially Peshawar High Court Judge Ejaz Anwar, were not nominated for the appointment of SC judge.

There is no explanation as how the JCP altered its opinion about a judge whose integrity was under question one year ago.

It is also witnessed that majority of the government-backed lawyers are appointed as judges of the high courts during the tenure of CJP Afridi.

The lawyers whose integrity and competency are beyond doubt were not nominated for appointments as they were not the government’s like-minded’

CJP Afridi so far could not evolve a strategy to minimise the influence of executive in the appointment of judges.

Around 50 judges are appointed in high courts as well as Supreme Court after passage of 26th constitutional amendment.

During the tenure of ex-CJP Qazi Faez Isa, minutes of committee working under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act was being shared on the Supreme Court website. However, this practice has been discontinued during ex CJP Yahya Afridi tenure.