Travel ban imposed on GHQ attack accused under anti-terrorism act
leaving the country
The ATC has formally directed the Director General of Immigration to ensure compliance with this restriction, citing Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which mandates travel bans to secure the presence of accused individuals during legal proceedings The case involves 120 individuals currently under trial with 23 declared absconders including prominent figures like Shahbaz Gill, Murad Saeed, Hamad Azhar, and Zulfi Bukhari Permanent arrest warrants have been issued for the absconders Earlier, on November 16, the court postponed the indictment of PTI leaders and workers for the third time in connection with the May 9 2023 attack on the General Headquarters following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan During the hearing, the prosecution distributed supplementary charge sheets among the accused, which included senior politicians such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sheikh Rashid and Omar Ayub However some defense counsels raised objections claiming new charges were added without evidence The prosecution also highlighted that 102 of the 125 accused had yet to submit their counsels power of attorney Consequently, the prosecutor requested the court to appoint state counsels for those accused Imran Khan, detained at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for over a year was absent in court due to security concerns but had his attendance marked Shah Mahmood Qureshi held in Lahore was transported to Rawalpindi for the hearing Applications for exemption from appearance were approved for several other accused, including Ali Amin Gandapur, Shibli Faraz, Shireen Mazari, and Zartaj Gul
PM Shehbaz Sharif vows strict action against tax evaders and abettors
compliance The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting in Islamabad to review the country s overall economic situation, a day after Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb reiterated the government s determination to broaden the tax net
PM Sharif instructed relevant authorities to accelerate actions against tax evaders, stating, “National progress is only possible when every citizen fulfills their due responsibility He also highlighted his government s significant economic achievements including a bullish stock market and a dramatic reduction in inflation from 38% to 7%
The latest figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that Pakistan s Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation dropped to 6 9% year-onyear in September 2024, marking the lowest rate since January 2021 This decline from 9 6% in August was attributed to the high base effect easing commodity prices and a stable currency Relief for the people is our priority, and we are committed to fulfilling the promises made to them the Prime Minister stated also pointing to the reduction in the interest rate from 22% to 15% which he believes will stimulate business activity Additionally, he noted an increase in foreign investor confidence foreign exchange reserves and remittances
PM Sharif also acknowledged the Punjab government s progress in the agricultural sector, especially the approval of the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024 Despite a walkout
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin
Gandapur on Monday urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately convene a session of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to address pressing issues faced by the provinces In a letter to the prime minister, the chief minister emphasized that provinces are grappling with
by opposition lawmakers the bill aims to enhance taxation within the province s agricultural sector In the meeting, discussions centered on Pakistan’s economic situation, inflation, and ongoing efforts to tackle tax evasion Meanwhile Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb in a separate address reaffirmed that the government s commitments to the IMF were transparent and openly available on the Fund’s
defending the judiciary and opposing the 26th constitutional amendment He also criticized the government for undermining judicial independence through the amendment, warning that if the judiciary fails to deliver justice the country risks falling into anarchy
Exporters of seasonal fruits have been unable to fulfill export orders this winter due to a liquidity crunch caused by delayed sales tax refunds, pending since 2022 and bureaucratic obstacles created by the Federal Board of Revenue s (FBR) regional offices The refunds primarily stuck at the Regional Tax Office (RTO) in Sargodha, pertain from July 2023 to June 2024
The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) has repeatedly requested the FBR to expedite refunds emphasizing the significant foreign exchange losses caused by delayed payments The PFVA noted that
exporters endured heavy losses during the last Kinnow season due to low-quality production geopolitical tensions and rising freight costs FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has been urged to investigate why refunds remain unpaid despite implementing automated systems such as STARR and FASTER for timely processing The FBR has directed the Chief Commissioner of RTO Sargodha to prioritize resolving these refund claims
However, exporters argue that continued inaction has paralyzed their cash flows estimated at over Rs200 million forcing them to miss critical export targets for citrus mangoes potatoes and other seasonal produce Exporters highlight discrimination compared to the five zero-rated sectors,
which have received refunds up to August 2024 while their claims remain unaddressed The PFVA which contributed $3 billion to Pakistan s export earnings in FY2023-24, warned that this liquidity crunch is severely affecting future export potential and harming the country s foreign exchange reserves
The association has demanded urgent action from the FBR to clear pending refunds and ensure the timely processing of future claims to restore exporters’ confidence and keep Pakistan’s fruit exports competitive globally Despite directives from the Prime Minister in March 2024 to process refunds swiftly RTO Sargodha has not complied, creating further financial strain for exporters
The first direct cargo vessel from Pakistan to Bangladesh in decades successfully unloaded its containers at Chittagong Port on November 11, marking a significant development in regional trade relations according to port officials
The AFP reported that the Panama-flagged container ship Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan made the voyage from Karachi to Chittagong, carrying goods from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, including raw materials for Bangladesh’s garment industry and essential foodstuffs The vessel s arrival bypassed the long-standing need for transshipment via third countries such as Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, or Singapore Chittagong port’s top official Omar Faruq confirmed the ship s cargo had been unloaded before it departed The development comes as Bangladesh and Pakistan look to rebuild trade ties after decades of strained relations Pakistan’s envoy to Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maroof described the direct shipping route as a major step towards enhancing regional trade
In a social media post, Maroof highlighted that the new route would create “new opportunities for businesses on both sides ” This milestone follows Bangladesh s decision in September to ease import restrictions on Pakistani goods Previously mandatory physical inspections caused delays for Pak-
istani shipments
The removal of this requirement and the establishment of a direct shipping route are expected to reduce costs and streamline trade
The renewed trade link comes amidst shifting political dynamics in the region Bangladesh’s ties with New Delhi have reportedly cooled after the recent ousting of former leader Sheikh Hasina with political uncertainties creating opportunities for Dhaka to explore alternative regional partnerships
The reestablishment of direct shipping is seen as a significant move to improve economic connectivity between the two nations providing a boost to Bangladesh s export-driven garment industry while expanding Pakistan s access to regional markets
AGPR to revamp tax adjustment system for salaried individuals, pensioners
sions, which mandate crediting withheld taxes under other heads during the current period
The Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) has agreed to update its Systems Applications and Products (SAP) module following recommendations by the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) to simplify tax adjustments and credits for salaried individuals and pensioners
According to a news report, the initiative is aimed at eliminating the lengthy tax refund process and ensuring compliance with tax laws
Under the agreement between the AGPR and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), tax adjustments will be processed up to the AGPR’s tax liability limit During a meeting chaired by the AGPR it was decided that the pro-
posal will be reviewed in an internal meeting scheduled for this month The FBR has been asked to provide specific details of the tax sections applicable for adjustments
The move follows complaints from salaried individuals subjected to excessive tax deductions under Section 149 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 Despite qualifying for tax credits under Clause (2) of Part III of the Second Schedule, complainants reported that district account offices (DAOs) failed to allow these credits, resulting in undue financial burden
An investigation by the FTO revealed that the current withholding tax deduction procedures at DAOs are inconsistent with legislative intent The FTO highlighted that these practices fail to adhere to Section 149’s provi-
To address these issues the FTO recommended overhauling the SAP module to enable tax credit adjustments, establish a robust monitoring mechanism to prevent misuse at the withholding stage, and ensure compliance with the law The AGPR s implementation of these recommendations will require policy-level discussions and further coordination with the FBR s Inland Revenue Policy wing
Additionally, the FTO advised that both AGPR and the Punjab Accountant General update their systems to facilitate prompt tax credit adjustments for eligible taxpayers This step aims to bypass the cumbersome refund process stipulated in Section 170 of the Income Tax Ordinance and provide timely financial relief to affected individuals
COMMENT
TH E decision by the Ishaq Dar led taskforce to sell 35% of all future gas discoveries made in Pakistan to private companies has been met with mixed responses
The government is naturally presenting this as the next great solution claiming it will pump in $5 billion into Pakistan’s exploration and production sector However, any reasonable person should be wary of these government projections by now At the same time, the private sector is pleased at the possibility of getting their hands on these discoveries, and have expressed the hope that it will make the sector more profitable
But there are concerns in the midst of all of this For starters, the policy has some very fierce critics Not least among them are the government’s own petroleum minister and PML-N stalwart Dr Musadik Malik Mr Malik was on the 20-member task force led by the Deputy Prime Minister, and repeatedly tried to delay the policy by being absent from meetings and proposing alternative policies with major changes Mr Malik s concerns have been dismissed rather than addressed The worry is that Pakistan’s natural resources will be stretched thin and the government is preemptively setting itself targets that it may not be able to meet, and might lose out on profits from important discoveries At the same time, the private sector, which seems in a celebratory mood, would do well to remember that the government has repeatedly proven itself to be a bad business partner
It is worth noting that Pakistan has been on a selling spree ever since the incumbent government took over Part of this has been the efforts of the SIFC, which has done much to promote investment into Pakistan s mineral and agricultural sector These efforts need to be maintained, and investor confidence is key Which is why policy’s like the one Mr Dar has backed need to have comprehensive and feasible roadmaps which up until now have either been missing or not shared with the public
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Tariq Khalique
Health-related misinformation is another area of concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, false information about the virus, vaccines, and treatments spread rapidly on social media platforms in Pakistan. Many people were misled into believing in conspiracy theories about vaccines, which led to widespread vaccine hesitancy. Misinformation about fake cures or the severity of the virus also created confusion and undermined efforts to control the pandemic.
In Pakistan, awareness remains the biggest issue for diseases like diabetes
DPakistan’s image
End BISP misuse
disease is why regular eye exams are crucial for early detection The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes have a comprehensive eye exam every year as early detection and timely treatment can prevent up to 95% of vision loss The impact of diabetic eye disease extends beyond physical health; it can also lead to emotional and financial burdens
Dr haroon Tayyab
WH I L E walking through the streets of over 15 cities in Michigan and sitting in the comfortable drawing room of my brother-in-law, Mr Mubeen Ahmed in Macomb a sprawling high-end white neighborhood I reflected on the priorities of Donald Trump as he prepares to take the oath as the 47th President of the United States, becoming once again the most formidable and powerful person on earth
Analyzing various statements made by Donald Trump and his close associates several important and pivotal concepts and policy issues emerge that are likely to reshape how things are done in the U S Unfortunately, bloggers, YouTubers are exploiting their platforms by airing misconceived, unauthenticated, and unverifiable commentaries and proving them as if they were factual truths
A YouTuber said that three planes full of Indian immigrants had been sent back to their country while concentration camps in the U S were filled with immigrants from various countries, including Pakistan, who
were being treated like animals, with transportation being arranged to deport them unceremoniously to their countries of origin
On the contrary Trump’s stance on immigration is straightforward He has pledged to welcome and embrace immigrants who come to the United States legally and in compliance with the country’s laws, but will not tolerate illegal immigrants who enter the country unlawfully those with criminal backgrounds or individuals involved in activities like drug trafficking illegal arms smuggling kidnapping and extortion This approach is comparable to Pakistan s policy toward illegal Afghan immigrants
Recognizing the detrimental impact of illegal activities such as drug trafficking and unauthorized businesses the Pakistani government has expelled most of these individuals to protect the country s interests
One of Donald Trump s most significant yet underreported policy promises is restoring freedom of speech and opinion to the people He has accused elements of the government including Homeland Security the CIA FBI Pentagon and the deep state of eroding these rights through mass surveillance, control of social media, manipulation of traditional media and universities, and profiling dissenting voices using big data
In a speech Trump pledged to identify and hold accountable those responsible for undermining these rights He emphasized that the First Amendment, which guarantees freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, and press, has been diluted alongside the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments which collectively safeguard privacy due process equal protection and other essential liberties He argued that these constitutional violations must be corrected to
In a speech Trump pledg ed to identify and hold accountable those responsible for undermining these rights. He emphasiz ed that the First Amendment, which guarantees freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, and press, has been diluted alongside the Second, Third, Four th, Fifth, and Four teenth Amendments, which collectively safeguard privacy, due process, equal protection, and other essential liber ties.
secure America s progress and prosperity,
promising to initiate a comprehensive process to restore the nation’s constitutional integrity
On the issue of transgender rights Donald Trump was unequivocal and took a more religious stance He stated clearly that in the United States there are only two genders: male and female, with no recognition of a third gender He emphasized that male transgender individuals would not have the right to use female bathrooms or changing rooms nor would schools implement segregation based on a third gender According to Trump the sex assigned at birth would remain the individual s gender for life
During my door-to-door surveys, many expressed their strong opposition to gender reassignment through surgical procedures and chemical treatments to dissolve or alter sex organs and supported Trump s stance seeing it as a way to protect families religious values and the role of the church in society On Chinese economic influence in the U S , Donald Trump articulated a clear and pragmatic approach Instead of outright curtailing Chinese imports he proposed two fiscal measures First he would impose tariffs on Chinese products to raise their prices to levels comparable with similar goods produced in the U S , thereby providing a level playing field for American companies Second he aimed to address the tariffs and trade barriers that China imposes on U S goods and services ensuring reciprocity in trade A similar approach could benefit Pakistan if its government prioritized national interests by implementing measures to protect domestic industries from unfair competition In one of his speeches which I personally watched Donald Trump conveyed a pragmatic stance on global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine issue He acknowledged the devastating toll these wars have taken, with thousands of innocent lives lost He pledged that his immediate priority after taking office would be to end these conflicts calling them senseless madness These sentiments strongly resonate with the global community, particularly Muslims, who yearn for peace and justice We can only hope that Trump’s promises materialize in both letter and spirit Trump’s remarks on Iran were particularly striking He expressed a desire for Iran to become a prosperous and progressive country but emphasized his deep concern over its potential to acquire nuclear weapons According to him, such a development could severely destabilize the security and balance of the Middle East His stance on Iran is notably more nuanced than
To my surprise , during one of his interactions with colleg e students, Trump asked them to take an oath to avoid drugs, refrain from smoking, and consume alcohol in moderation He shared that he had followed the advice of his elder brother, who struggled with alcoholism, and as a result, he never smoked, drank, or used drugs in his entire life . This messag e aligns with the values many of us aspire to uphold and wish for the current and future g enerations to embrace
the outright antagonistic tone many might expect, reflecting a pragmatic approach focused on addressing critical issues while maintaining regional stability
To my surprise during one of his interactions with college students Trump asked them to take an oath to avoid drugs refrain from smoking and consume alcohol in moderation He shared that he had followed the advice of his elder brother, who struggled with alcoholism, and as a result, he never smoked drank or used drugs in his entire life
After all Trump is not as unhinged as many of us thought
The writer retired as Press Secretary the the President and is former Press Minister at Embassy of Paikistan
This message aligns with the values many of us aspire to uphold and wish for the current and future generations to embrace On the subject of Afghan women wearing the veil, Trump was remarkably outspoken, expressing views that many might not have expected He pointed out that in Western societies, women who choose to wear the hijab or veil often defend it as their fundamental right, citing centuries of tradition However, when Afghan women or their society embrace the veil they are met with criticism from the same Western observers Trump argued that if Afghan women or their society prefer the hijab or veil, it is their choice, and others have no business interfering in their cultural or personal decisions
The Western dehumanization of Muslims
parts of the West Bank Back in 2019, he boldly stated that there was no such thing as a settlement or even a Palestinian people, a view that starkly contrasts with traditional American policy Such a stance indicates that as ambassador he won’t just advocate for Israel in the diplomatic sense; he ll press for a strategic shift On one occasion he was guided by settler leaders to Joseph s Tomb in Nablus an area of the West Bank off limits to the United States government In a 2016 interview with The Jewish Press, Hegseth recounted his experience visiting the Muslim Quarter and a home there, that had been renovated by Jews Michael Waltz the Florida congressman nominated for national security adviser is another choice that signals a shift Waltz has a hardline stance on Iran Just last month following Iran s latest attack on Israel he called for the Israeli Air Force to target Iran s oil and nuclear sites Waltz s views on military intervention reveal a willingness to support Israel in a way not seen before on an issue that could redefine the Middle East The list goes on: Sen Marco Rubio, the nominee for secretary of state, has publicly advocated for the “complete eradication” of Hamas while Elise Stefanik is slated to represent the US at the United Nations These are not the kind of ambassadors and leaders who will issue statements of concern over Israeli actions Instead they are likely to be cheering from the sidelines, allowing Israel greater flexibility on the ground And perhaps most importantly for
military action against Iranian targets But this doesn t mean Israel will have complete freedom of action While the atmosphere in Washington may be more accommodating, Israel will still need to tread carefully The administration’s support does not guarantee a carte blanche nor does it mean Israel can do as it pleases
standings? Yes But will the pushback be less if Israel does not adhere to the administration’s requests? Not necessarily US TO BLAME? On Tuesday former IDF general Giora Eiland made a controversial statement accusing US President Joe Biden of effectively condemning the hostages in Gaza to death The person who has prevented the return of the hostages is President Biden and his administration He forced Israel, after the first hostage deal, to allow 200 trucks a day [into Gaza] and sentenced the hostages to death You can’t define it any other way and you should say it to the Americans ” Eiland asserted The blunt accusation illustrates a narrative that has gained traction on the Israeli right – namely that American pressure has hampered Israel s ability to act against Hamas and has compromised its efforts to secure the release of the hostages When Israel paused its incursion into Rafah earlier this year, critics argued that it was due to American pressure Likewise, when talk of a ceasefire came up at the beginning of the war many people contended that it was Biden who would decide how long the war could last But this narrative distorts the reality of the US-Israel relationship While Washington certainly influences Israeli decision-making, it doesn t dictate it Does the US make its views known? Yes Does it sometimes pressure Israel by hinting at consequences if those views aren’t taken seriously? Also yes Nevertheless the ultimate decision is up to Israel Biden can urge Israel to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza and even say that failure to comply could affect arms supplies But the final call is Israel s based on its priorities What s surprising is how figures like Eiland, seasoned veterans of the IDF and the government, seem to treat the US-Israel alliance as a onesided relationship where Israel merely takes and makes demands What relationship is like that in life? None that I can think of Criticizing American policy is fair but Israel is an independent nation What Eiland said makes it seem as if Israel is not and if it wants to be it needs to act like one which means making decisions and standing behind them The reason Israel doesn t do this is because it is convenient to have someone else to blame When Eiland blames Biden, he is essentially giving the government a pass This is a mistake and Israelis should stop falling for it BAD DECISION: On Wednesday the Jerusalem District Court dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s request to delay his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial rejecting his plea for a 10-week extension Netanyahu s lawyers argued that the demands of the war hindered his ability to prepare for court Nevertheless, the court maintained that he had ample time, having already set the December date back in July There’s no doubt that Netanyahu needs to stand trial Indeed there’s even room to question whether his decisions might be influenced by the charges he is
given it’s so restrictive,” to which I reply, “I go out, see friends you know normal stuff ” Another favorite is “it can’t be good for women they can t do anything Like drive? Yes they can Work? Yup that too But
science roles in the Arab world but there is an effort to redress the balance In 2019, shortly before COVID-19 hit, the World Economic Forum released a report that identified Jordan as a country where workers were more likely to have a woman as a boss than a man Jordan led the pack with 62 percent of
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some points on wars and climate,” he told AFP Biden’s decision Sunday to allow Ukraine to use long-range US missiles to strike targets inside Russia a major policy shift could prompt European allies to also review their stance G20 leaders are also under pressure to try rescue UN climate talks in Azerbaijan, which have stalled on the issue of greater climate finance for developing countries UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for G20 members who account for 80% of global emissions to show leadership to facilitate a deal
Security is tight for the gathering, which comes days after a failed bomb attack on Brazil s Supreme Court in Brasilia by a suspected far-right extremist, who killed himself in the process
The get-together will cap a farewell diplomatic tour by Biden which took him to Lima for a meeting of AsiaPacific trading partners and then to the Amazon in the first such visit for a sitting US president Biden, who has looked to burnish his legacy as time runs down on his presidency insisted in the Amazon that his cli-
with Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Within a month, Premier Li Qiang, together with the heads of government from Cambodia, Laos Myanmar Thailand and Vietnam attended the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang visited Singapore and co-chaired the China-Singapore bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings Vice President Han Zheng visited Indonesia and Brunei Indonesia’s newly elected President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim visited China We are also good partners with integrated
ADB DELEGATION DISCUSSES MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES WITH
IDEAS -24: Strengthening Global Par tnership for a S afer Tomorrow
HAMAIL TAHIR
IDEAS, International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, held biennially in Karachi, represents a major event at the canvas of global defence and security industry; highlighting Pakistan s commitment to strengthening its role as a key player in defense partnerships while focusing on technological advancements The platform provides opportunities for collaboration between defence industry leaders government representatives and military officials The upcoming defence exhibitions IDEAS-24 in Karachi will prominently feature a diverse array of land, air, and sea equipment, alongside cutting-edge cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies At IDEAS-24 scheduled from November 19-22 at Expo Centre Krachi exhibitors will showcase innovations ranging from advanced military vehicles and naval systems to aerial drones, highlighting their operational capabilities and integration with AI for enhanced situational awareness and decision-making support Exhibitors will also demonstrate AIpowered solutions designed to optimize logistics and maintenance operations, ensuring that military
forces remain agile and responsive in dynamic environments These exhibitions will serve as critical platforms for collaboration among industry leaders military officials and technology innovators fostering discussions around the future of defence technologies in an increasingly complex global landscape In addition, a seminar and number of side lines conferences will be held exploring avenues of enhancing public-private partnerships to foster innovation and efficiency thereby enabling the defence industry to meet both domestic and international demands in defence sector Through the discussions held in seminar and side line conferences defence experts and policy makers will be able to exchange ideas and discuss the strategic direction of the defence sector The panelist of these seminars and conferences will include international experts in field of defence industry, as well as defence & security analyst The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) first held in in 2000; now holds a significant place at the canvas of global defence industry The event is held biennially and the inaugural first edition of IDEAS
NOVEMBER 24 PROTEST FIGHT FOR COUNTRY
IDEAS 2024 prompts four-day school closures in Karachi
IHC acquits Imran K han, Vawda, others in S ec tion 144 violation c ase
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with several key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday was acquitted in a case involving the violation of Section 144 and the use of amplifiers during a political gathering in 2022 The case, which was filed in August 2022 at the Aabpara police station also involved PTI leaders Faisal Vawda Sheikh Rashid Fawad Chaudhry Shibli Faraz
Asad Qaiser and Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan They faced charges of organizing a political gathering in violation of Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings in certain areas and for using loudspeakers without prior permission Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry delivered a detailed ruling, which highlighted serious doubts regarding the prosecution’s claims One of the significant contradictions pointed out by the court was the allegation that a crowd of 1 000 to 1 200 people had attacked police officers
However the court noted that no injuries to police personnel had been reported, undermining the credibility of the accusations
In light of these inconsistencies the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its case The magistrate further stated that even if the trial had proceeded, the chances of a conviction were highly unlikely due to the weak evidence presented
As a result all accused individuals were acquitted and the court ordered their release, provided they were not being held in connection with any other cases Additionally, the court instructed the return of the surety bonds that had been submitted by the accused
This ruling provides significant legal relief to the PTI leadership, who have faced a series of ongoing legal and political challenges in recent months
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
founder Imran Khan is set to be indicted in the May 9 riots case on November 25
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi fixed the indictment date after hearing arguments during a recent session The former Prime Minister was presented before the court, where he was also provided additional copies of the challan However Khan’s lawyers raised objections alleging that the additional documents were tampered with and were not part of the original challan So far, the prosecution has submitted 11 challans in the case, while 120 accused individuals have been provided with copies The court declared 23 accused including Shehbaz Gill Murad Saeed and Zulfi Bukhari as absconders ordering the confiscation of their properties Additionally, the court directed the Director-General of Immigration to impose travel restrictions on the absconding individuals
The hearing of the case has been adjourned until November 25 the day the court will formally indict the PTI leader
Earlier, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore had granted bail to Imran Khan in four May 9-related cases ATC Judge Arshad Javed while presiding over the hearings and had approved the bail pleas filed by the former Prime Minister
The court, however, disposed of a plea by Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, seeking additional time for
arguments The judge stated that sufficient time had been given for arguments which were not presented within the deadline
The Punjab Prosecutor General accused Khan of inciting his supporters to attack military installations in the event of his arrest Despite these allegations the court had accepted Khan s bail in four cases, including the burning of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office, with a bond set at Rs550,000 Khan had also moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the transfer of May 9 cases to military courts Filed through his lawyer, Aziz Karamat Bhandari, Khan s petition named the Secretary of Law, Secretary of Home, IG Islamabad IG Punjab IG Jails DG FIA and the federal government as respondents
The petition argued that the transfer of civilian cases to military courts is unjustified In response, IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb ordered the government to clarify its position granting additional time for the Ministry of Defence to submit its stance
The debate over military trials for civilians arose after the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government initiated such proceedings for individuals involved in the May 9 riots However the Supreme Court declared military trials for civilians unconstitutional in an October 2023 ruling later suspended in December by a 5:1 majority
The May 9 unrest erupted following Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case The riots led to the
vandalism of multiple military and state properties including the Lahore Corps Commander s residence The government alleges that PTI leadership orchestrated these attacks as part of a premeditated plan PTI has repeatedly denied the allegations with party officials asserting that Khan only called for peaceful protests Lawyers representing Khan have refuted claims that he incited violence, dismissing media reports attributing inflammatory comments to him Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser speaking on a private television program emphasized that Khan did not issue any directives to target military installations Intezar Panjutha, another lawyer for Khan, stated during a press conference that reports suggesting Khan admitted to calling for protests outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi are false Panjutha confirmed that he was present during Khan s conversations with journalists at Adiala Jail and that the attributed statements were fabricated Imran Khan faces 12 ongoing cases related to the May 9 riots These cases filed at police stations across Lahore include Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town The government alleges these incidents were part of an “organized” effort to target state and military institutions The November 25 indictment is expected to be a pivotal moment in the high-profile case It comes amid heightened political tensions, with PTI accusing the government of using legal means to suppress its leadership
