SC judgment wiped out any imaginary deal with Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: A landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared General (R) Pervez Musharraf as violator of the Constitution had wiped out the unimplemented parts, if any, of the “deal” which the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) government had worked out for his safe exit prior to his resignation as president in 2008.

All the judges of the apex court, sitting in one panel, handed down a historic judgment on July 31, 2009, which found the state of emergency imposed by Musharraf on November 3, 2007 as violative of the Constitution. It prescribed the former dictator’s trial for high treason under article 6 for suspending the Constitution in his capacity as the Chief of the Army Staff.

Under the deal that former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has talked about, Musharraf was given graceful exit out of the presidential office with an unusual guard of honour amid vociferous taunts and boos by different opposition parties.

This happened in August 2008 a few months after Gilani had assumed office of the prime minister and Asif Zardari was yet to be elected as the president. By virtue of his office, Gilani was mainly involved in talks with the establishment on Musharraf’s fate.

However, senior PPP leader Jehangir Badr has quickly contradicted him saying that the PPP had not signed any deal with Musharraf.

“Zardari had given two choices to General Ashfaque Parvaz Kayani that either Musharraf should resign or be prepared for impeachment,” he said.

What weight and worth Gilani’s assertions may carry when they have been denied by a senior party stalwart, who enjoys the confidence of the top PPP leaders including Zardari and Bilawal.

However, at the time there was an unwritten understanding between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that they would mutually decide about their joint presidential candidate after Musharraf’s ouster. But the PML-N was stunned when Zardari put himself up as the contestant without consulting it. This created bad blood at the very outset. Not only the previous government gave Musharraf safe exit as per the deal but it also kept dragging its feet on enforcing the Supreme Court decision to try him for high treason for nearly four years till March 2013 when its term exhausted. He traveled out of Pakistan without any hindrance by the government.

He comfortably lived in and out of Pakistan, but he decided to return to Pakistan last year to contest the general elections. After that, his woes intensified and he is in deep trouble since then.

Whatever the deal, it was swept away by the PPP’s massive electoral defeat and PML-N’s convincing triumph.

In the meantime, while holding hearing on the case of implementation of its July 2009 judgment, the Supreme Court finally asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to arraign Musharraf on high treason charges or face contempt proceedings in the last quarter of the previous year. As a result, he was left with no choice but to order the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe the matter. Then, the case was filed with the special court, which will decide Musharraf’s fate.

“The responsibility of decision about the treason case is on the court; the judiciary is free,” Information Minister Senator Parvaiz Rashid says. “The complainant in Musharraf’s case is the State and not the government. It is up to the judiciary to decide if the steps taken on November 3 by Musharraf constitute a violation of article 6 or not.

If everyone is equal, then every citizen is answerable before the court of law.”

The Nawaz Sharif government denies that the PML-N was part of any deal that the PPP signed with the establishment on Musharraf in 2008.

If there is such an agreement, Musharraf should present it in court, Parvaiz Rashid stresses.

Gilani was right when he said that Musharraf stepped down after striking a deal that he would be given a safe exit. On his resignation, Musharraf was allowed such exit from Pakistan. However, Gilani slipped when he stated that after signing a deal with the establishment, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not have violated it. Where is that accord?

“The establishment had also taken Nawaz Sharif into confidence at the time of striking the deal for Musharraf’s safe exit. At the time of the Bhurban Accord, when the issue of impeachment of Musharraf came up, the establishment contacted me as well as Nawaz Sharif and it was agreed that Musharraf would be provided a safe exit from Pakistan if he stepped down from the Presidency,” Gilani said.

When will the poor not sleep hungry, SC asks govt

 

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned the final report from the Centre and the provinces on July 17 on the practical steps taken for the provision of flour to poor persons at subsidised rates.
Heading the bench, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked during the flour subsidy case the government should tell when the day will come when no poor will sleep hungry.He remarked “It seems as if we are measuring water. The court does not need empty consolations but it should be told about the practical steps. Officers should shun officialdom and adopt the norms of serving the common man. Extreme obsession is also needed along with sanity for addressing the problems facing the poor segments of the society.”

He remarked. “Running the government is the job of elected representatives of people. But getting articles 9, 14 and 38 implemented is our obligation. Nine months have passed but no workable solution is becoming visible in this respect. We will not allow the poor to die of hunger despite an abundant supply of wheat grains.”

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Attiq Shah and law officers of the provinces appeared in the court. Justice Khawaja remarked, “For how long this job will be done in the provinces? We want low priced atta is distributed among the poor and its monitoring is done. We have come tosuch stage where we don’t want empty consolations. We want work, not the committees.”

AAG Attique Shah said the government is working out how atta will reach the poor. This is issue of over 67 percent population of the country, he added. Justice Khawaja remarked, “We have vast experience of judicial review as we have been doing it for the last 40 years. We will conduct judicial review when the things come before us. You all please sit together and resolve this matter. It was told by Punjab that chief minister is on the visit to China and he has however directed the concerned authorities to gear up all efforts. Tell us outline of the solution at least.”

The authorities concerned said it is being considered to use Watan card for this purpose. Justice Khawaja remarked, “There should be online system. Don’t tell more about subsidy. Tell us about proposals. Running the government is your job.”

He said the whole exercise will be of no use if deserving people don’t benefit from it. He said in his remarks that the case hearing has been ongoing since October 2013 but no steps are being taken.

He ordered all four provinces to come up with a joint solution.He said that he is aware there are difficulties, adding that the solutions to those difficulties are also available.

SC orders arrest of main accused within a week

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, while issuing an order to the Ministry of Interior to arrest the main accused allegedly involved in the anti-judiciary campaign within a week, expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Interior’s report about the action taken in this regard. The apex court also summoned a report within a week about the arrest of the accused.
Justice Nasirul Mulk remarked, “We don’t want a blank report. Tell us what the outcome of this report is. How many accused have been arrested so far and what guidance has been given by them to the law enforcement agencies. Security personnel are present everywhere and they have not spotted anyone placing the banners.”

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja reply is not satisfactory. It means judiciary is insecure. Are there no CCTV cameras there? Are the entries not made on barricades? Is the state so much helpless that every one enters Red Zone and returns after doing whatever he wants?”

A three-member SC bench presided over by Justice Nasirul Mulk took up anti-judiciary campaign case for hearing Wednesday.Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Ahmad Saeed presented the interior ministry and IB report in the court. He made it clear that the government had made safe city project with reference to security which was annulled by the SC.

He said that IB report was secret.Justice Jawwad S Khawaja inquired what the secret was therein.The DAG told the court that IB report was based on the progress made in the case.The court remarked, “What progress is there that it has not been ascertained so far how many accused were there and what action was taken against those involved in placing banners.”

The DAG said that efforts were underway to locate prime accused. Two accused had been arrested and information was being taken from them. Give us one week and we will take action against the culprits and give report.”Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked, “It means we are not fully covered.The hearing of the case was adjourned till July, 2.

SC orders recovery of 56,939 acres of encroached land in Karachi

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Board of Revenue (BoR) to retrieve 56,939 acres of encroached land in Karachi within six months.

Hearing the Karachi law and order suo moto implementation case, the Supreme Court’s three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani inquired of the BoR members what efforts were being made to retrieve the encroached land.

The BoR member Zulfiqar Ali Shah and senior member BoR Malik Israr have submitted that about 59,803 acres and 39 ghuntas is the encroached land, which included both institutional and individual encroachments. They further stated that an area of 2,864 acres has been retrieved and the remaining is still under encroachment.

To a court query, Zulfiqar Ali Shah submitted that institutional encroachment is 52,130 acres and it includes both federal and provincial institutions. He submitted that efforts were being made to have the land vacated but it may take a few months.

However, on a specific query about the timeline, the BoR officials submitted that the BoR would be able to have the land vacated within a period of six months and sought time. The court directed the BoR to retrieve the government and private encroached land within six months and submit the compliance report before the court.

On the encroachment of 1,446 acres of forest land at Deh Shah Bukhari, Qasimabad, the applicant Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi submitted that despite the removal of the encroachment the land in question has been again re-occupied by the land grabbers and a construction has been raised. Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Mohammad Nawaz submitted that pursuant to the order of the court, a piece of land measuring 1,446 acres was retrieved and its possession was handed over to the Forest Department on May 4, 2013.

Conservator Forest Mohammad Sadiq Mohal confirmed the statement of the DC Hyderabad. However, he apprehended that the encroachers might take over the land again and the DPO concerned has been requested to establish a picket at the spot to prevent fresh encroachment, which has not been done. He submitted that Forest Department has prepared a comprehensive plan to plant trees on the entire area and for that PC-I has also been prepared, which has been approved by the provincial government and in the current budget funds would be allocated.

The court directed the advocate general Sindh to get in touch with the chief minister to ensure that the requisite funds are made available to the Forest Department. The court also directed the DPO Hyderabad to deploy a picket as requested by the Forest Department to prevent any encroachment. The court observed that since both the deputy commissioner and the conservator forest have submitted that the possession was handed over to the Forest Department on May 4, 2013, therefore any order of status quo would ensure benefit of the Forest Department which had already taken possession on the afore-referred date.

On application of Salahuddin Siddiqui, who was denied possession and access of 10 acres long lease land for automotive parts near Steel Mills, Chairman of the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Agha Jan Akhtar submitted that the 10 acres of land allotted to the applicant in Eastern Industrial Zone is owned by the Sindh government but the subject land is situated between the PQA establishment and the Pakistan Steel Mills and that there is no road access and other amenities available for proper land utilisation.

He submitted that the PQA has certain issues with the provincial government regarding ownership of land and there is misconception in certain quarters that there was some encroachment by the Authority. He said that he had a meeting with the chief secretary Sindh recently and hopefully all the issues are likely to be settled.

Regarding the grievance of the applicant, he said the land allotted is owned by the provincial government but in deference to the proceedings of the court and the fact that the applicant is a potential investor, the PQA shall provide access road to the applicant on payment of due charges, if possible, from the land owned by the PQA and otherwise an alternative solution in this regard shall be found in conjunction/consultation with BoR and Pakistan Steel Mills.

The deputy commissioner Malir having visited the spot confirmed that such an alternate solution could be found and the applicant readily agrees. The deputy commissioner shall carry out this exercise and complete the same within a fortnight under intimation to the assistant registrar (Karachi) of the court. Siddiqui informed the court that 10 acres was allotted on a long lease for the construction of automotive parts industry and he made payment of Rs20 million approximately as required but despite the lapse of all these years possession has not been given on account of which the industry has not been established. He submitted that Deputy Commissioner Malir Kazi Jan Mohammad sent a possession letter along with a site plan two days back when the case is fixed Tuesday before the court, however there was no access to the said land. The court adjourned the hearing of the case.

SC overrules SHC order, Musharraf to stay on ECL

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday overruled the Sindh High Court order to remove former President Pervez Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List (ECL) barring him from leaving the country.

The former president had moved the Sindh High Court to remove his name so he may travel freely. The High court ruled that Musharraf's name be removed albeit the court suspended the operation of its order for fifteen days during which time the government could appeal before the apex court.

In its appeal before the Supreme Court, the federal government maintained that Musharraf is the only accused in the treason case and there are other pending cases against him in courts, thus his name should not be removed from the ECL. The appeal stated that Musharraf should not be allowed to leave the country until cases against him are decided.

Following today's ruling, the former president's name will remain on the ECL.

Geo News resumption: Cable operators continue to defy PEMRA, SC orders

KARACHI: Cable operators continued to defy the orders of Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) and Supreme Court pertaining to the restoration of Geo Network channels across Pakistan.

The channel’s transmission had earlier been suspended on June 6, 2014 on the complaint filed by the Ministry of Defence. A fine of Rs10 million had also been imposed on the channel.

A notification (dated June 20, 2014) issued by PEMRA states that Geo News is allowed to resume transmission at 12am on June 21, 2014, however, cable operators have claimed that they have not received any such notification and continued to defy PEMRA and Supreme Court orders.

The notification directs all the regional offices to direct distribution networks in their respective regions to begin relaying Geo News at the above mentioned time and date.

A special reference has also been made to the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The order states:

2. The grievance of the applicant, as raised by its senior counsel, was that the PEMRA was not abiding by the report of Mediator and the subsequent orders passed by this Court on it. Raja Muhammad Ibrahim Satti, learned Sr. ASC for PEMRA was present in the Court as a Caveator along with Mr. Zahid Malik, Head of Legal Department, PEMRA, and on instructions from Mr. Zahid Malik, Raja Muhammad Ibrahim Satti, learned Sr. ASC stated that the PEMRA shall abide by the terms of order dated 13.08.2012 passed in Constitution Petition No.51 of 2010, by which the report of Mr. Javed Jabbar, the Mediator, was made part of the said order and that the PEMRA will ensure that there is no shifting of the channels contrary to or in violation of the order dated 13.08.2012

The PEMRA notification directs all regional general managers to strictly comply with the above quoted orders by directing all distribution networks to restore Geo News to its original position to avoid any contempt of proceedings in the Supreme Court.

ARY News, which was suspended by PEMRA on Saturday, continued to be relayed by cable operators on their networks.

SC annoyed over failure to arrest culprits

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday expressed annoyance over the failure of apprehending the culprits involved in displaying anti-judiciary banners in the red zone and sought updated report by Wednesday on the issue.

A two-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Ejaz Afzal heard a civil miscellaneous application filed by Taufiq Asif, former President High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi regarding display of posters and banners in Islamabad against the judiciary.

Deputy Attorney General Khawaja Ahmed Hussain while appearing before the court submitted that they had failed to trace out Muhammad Rasheed, the man who ordered to display the banners.

He informed the court that two painters who had made those banners had been arrested and they told the investigation that one, Muhammad Rasheed, had ordered to prepare those banners.

Deputy attorney general sought adjournment saying that attorney general was in Lahore.Justice Ijaz Afzal however, inquired as to whether only two persons were responsible for the act. Deputy attorney general replied that they were investigating the matter but remained unsuccessful in nabbing the responsible persons.

At this, Justice Ijaz Afzal said if he (DAG) was unaware of the culprits, he should contact the interior secretary and inspector general of police.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja observed that they had no concern about the contemptuous matter inscribed on the banners but concerned only as to how security breach took place in a city like Islamabad, the most protected place.

He said that CCTV cameras had been installed on every poll of the city, questioning as to whether any recording was found in this regard. He further said that there were many checkpoints in the federal capital, adding that his car was also being stopped like other vehicles, asking about the destination than why the displaying of banners was not stopped by the authorities concerned.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that on last hearing Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt in compliance with the court order of May 26, 2014, submitted the reports of interior secretary and DG Intelligence Bureau (IB), stating that three persons namely Shafique Butt, Muhammad Nazar and Muhammad Waqar was being interrogated by the police after registering an FIR No234/14.

The attorney general however, sought time to investigate the matter after apprehending more accused of displaying anti-judiciary banners and posters in Islamabad and pledged that investigation would be completed as early as possible.

Govt will go to SC in Musharraf ECL case

ISLAMABAD: The federal government would go into appeal in the Supreme Court against the SHC’s decision in order to prevent the former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf from going abroad during his trial under the most serious charge of high treason.
Sources told The News that the decision to this respect was already taken recently by the government when it was discussed that the SHC might allow Musharraf to go abroad.In a high level meeting of top ruling party leaders, it was decided that the governmentdecided that the government would challenge the decision if the SHC directed to remove Musharraf’s name from the ECL.

It is known to all now that the military establishment wants Musharraf’s safe exit from Pakistan but the government believes that any such concession offered to the former dictator would serve as a serious jolt to rule of law in Pakistan.

The government believes that not only the Supreme Court direction is a major hurdle in letting Musharraf go out of Pakistan, such a concession if offered to Musharraf would be in violation of the fundamental rights besides being against public interest.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered the removal of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf´s name from the Exit Control List (ECL), however the court has suspended the operation of its order for 15 days. During this 15-day period, the government may appeal before the Supreme Court against the order. If the government does not appeal in the stipulated time, Musharraf will be free to travel abroad.

In its recent advice to the government, the law ministry besides referring to the 2013 SC direction of putting Musharraf’s name on the ECL referred to certain other factors impeding Musharraf’s leaving Pakistan.

It was said that Gen (R) Musharraf is facing multiple charges in various courts of different federating units. In any case, whether he is on bail or otherwise, it remains a legal obligation of federal government to ensure his appearance and production before the concerned courts in order to fulfill the mandate of Articles 9, 10 and 10A of the Constitution. His absence from Pakistan may gravely prejudice the rights of private complainants who have reposed their confidence in the judicial system of Pakistan, the law ministry advice said.

It added that Musharraf is also begin tried for the offence of high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution before the Special Court where in the course of 36 hearings his attendance could be ensured only twice for one reason or the other. “Prima facie it appears that the accused may be avoiding trial. In the interest of justice and to fulfill a constitutional obligation to take the trial to its logical conclusion and to ensure substantial compliance of Articles 9, 10 and 10A of the Constitution it is imperative that he remains present in the country. His absence from Pakistan will cause grave and serious prejudice to the ends of justice by impeding the trials,” the ministry said.

The law ministry was also of the view that sending him abroad will amount to creating an exception which will impinge upon the fundamental right of equal treatment guaranteed by Article 25 to all other persons facing trials and would be against public interest.

Anti-judiciary programme case to be decided as per law: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled for deciding the case regarding anti-judiciary programme aired by ARY TV in accordance with law instead of getting emotional.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Mushir Alam, resumed hearing into Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA)- 3096/2014 in CMA-2774/2014 in Constitutional petition. No 51 of 2010, filed by Independent Media Corporation on behalf of Geo TV.

The court directed its office to provide transcripts of the programme aired by ARY TV on May 21, 2014 against the judiciary by next Tuesday and adjourned the hearing.During the course of the hearing Taufeeq Asif advocate drew the attention of the court towards the banners and posters, displayed in Rawalpindi against the judiciary. He informed the court that a conspiracy is being hatched to defame the judiciary saying that he had already filed a petition and requested for taking up the matter at the earliest.

He informed the court a banner was displayed in the Katchery, Rawalpindi, against Justice Jawad S Khawaja and his family. Taufeeq Asif claimed that the lawyer’s community has made sacrifices for the independence of judiciary however some elements were bent upon defaming the judiciary.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan however told the lawyer that when the petition came before them, they will hear it but at present the court is hearing another issue.Sheikh Ahsanuddin advocate, another lawyer also came hard on the programme, aired by ARY Television against the judiciary saying that Mubashir Luqman, the anchor of ARY TV has crossed all the limits while criticising the judiciary.

He further said that it is on record that Mubashir Luqman was caught red handed while conducting a live programme wherein he was taking dictation for posing questions. He also requested the court to take up the petition in which he had filed a CMA, praying to become a party.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan however, also asked the lawyer that let his petition come before them and listed, they will hear it.

Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, another member of the bench observed that they will decide the case in accordance with law instead of getting emotional. He further said that the lawyer’s community has made valuable sacrifices for the independence of judiciary and they lauded the role of the legal fraternity.

“But we will decide the case in accordance with law as it is their responsibility to decide in accordance with law”, Justice Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry remarked adding that they will not get emotional even if it relates to their fellow judge but would decide the matter in accordance with law.

He further said that this bench has been constituted for a limited time to hear the matter. Meanwhile, the court directed its office to separate the clips of the programme which were referred to them and provide them by next Tuesday.

Earlier, On June 2, 2014, the court had summoned CDs of the programme, aired by ARY TV against the judiciary on May 21, 2014 and had directed its office to arrange multimedia so that it may be benefited to watch the clips of programme, aired by ARY TV.

On Wednesday, the court watched some clips of ARY programme in the courtroom and thereafter directed its office to separate those clips of the programme which had been referred to the bench by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Tassaduq Hissain Jillani on May 31, 2014 constituted a three-member special bench in pursuance of the order of a two-member Bench headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed, dated May 26, 2014 wherein the Bench had directed Registrar, Supreme Court that order dated May 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014 be brought to the notice of the CJP for further appropriate orders.The CJP had also sent to the bench, Para 4 order of the apex court of May 22, 2014 with a transcript having two clips of the ARY programme.

PEMRA continues to disregard SC orders

ISLAMABAD: It has been five days since the Supreme Court ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore Geo channels on cable networks but the regulator has failed to do so.

The Supreme Court in its order on May 26 ordered PEMRA to restore Geo channels stating that cable operators did not have the authority to remove or reposition channels. Referring to its ruling in 2012, the apex court stated that channels can only be blocked if their license is suspended or cancelled by PEMRA.

Despite the Supreme Court orders, PEMRA has failed to take any action to restore Geo channels which cannot be seen in 90% of the country. People have been deprived of their favourite Geo channels over PEMRA’s failure to implement SC orders.

Meanwhile the Geo/Jang groups continue to be the target of attacks. On Friday a van carrying bundles of The News and Daily Jang was attacked and set on fire in Rawalpindi. In a similar attack on May 25 another van carrying publications of the group was attacked in Lahore.

PEMRA ignores SC orders to restore Geo

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PERMA) has disregarded Supreme Court orders of restoring Geo channels on cable networks across Pakistan.

According to a report published in The News by Ahmad Noorani, Geo television has decided to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court again by moving a contempt of court petition against PEMRA after the apex court’s orders to restore Geo transmission were completely ignored.

The Supreme Court in its order on May 26 ordered PEMRA to restore Geo channels stating that cable operators did not have the authority to remove or reposition channels. Referring to its ruling in 2012, the apex court stated that channels can only be blocked if their license is suspended or cancelled by PEMRA.

Despite the Supreme Court orders, PEMRA has failed to take any action to restore Geo channels which cannot be seen in 90% of the country. People have been deprived of their favourite Geo channels over PEMRA’s failure to implement SC orders.

PEMRA fails to implement SC orders to restore Geo’s channels

ISLAMABAD: TV channels of Geo Network continue remain shut across the country, as Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) failed to implement the Supreme Court’s orders to restore Geo’s channels that had been illegally put off air by the cable operators.

In blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment on Monday, the PEMRA remained completely unmoved due to mysterious reasons and failed to get the Geo News and other channels restored despite the fact that the apex court had declared that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those creating hurdles in restoration of transmission of the channels, writes Ahmad Noorani.

The Supreme Court has ordered that not only all the channels of Geo family shall be restored but also their position must not be changed/altered or obstructed.

Clearly knowing that not implementing the order will be contempt of court, the Pemra officials remained unmoved and Geo News and other channels of the group remained off air in majority of the areas of the country.

Cable operators in different cities refused to restore the Geo News transmission even when citizens informed them of the verdict of the Supreme Court penned down on Monday.But the Pemra officials remained indifferent to all these issues and the apex court’s orders.

Who peddles ideas about clash of institutions, SC asks govt

 

ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has observed banners against the court were hanged when it took up the missing persons case. He said these banners were like explosives, which could cause an irreparable loss.
He remarked, “The government should tell who is out to undermine the national institutions. If the government fails to detect negligence and inefficiency, then it will cause an immense loss.” He further asked the government to reveal the elements spreading the ideas of clash between institutions in the society.

He observed, “Institutions don’t do their job and when the court does the job, then banners are hanged against it. It was a surprising thing for us that it was not in the knowledge of the interior secretary and DG IB who had hanged these banners.”

He remarked, “We don’t want to review the whole matter but the facts should be revealed to the nation. We had given the order and why all the institutions, including the army, have not implemented it. It is beyond comprehension as to why the institutions are not providing information.”

The court ordered the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) to investigate the vilification campaign launched against Justice Khawaja and file the report on Wednesday (today).

He gave these remarks while presiding over a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) hearing the case of Sultan Shah and 35 missing persons case here on Tuesday who were picked up from the Malakand internment center.

At the start of the hearing, the AGP appeared in the court and presented a secret reply about the 35 missing persons. Through this reply, the court was requested to hold an in-camera hearing of this case.

The court remarked, “We cannot conduct an in-camera hearing of this case. But we will want that if someone wants to give a briefing, we will get the courtroom vacated. We want to work but our matters are not clear.”

The justice remarked: “The DG IB and interior secretary are either incompetent or negligent. The AGP should assist. Whosoever has to conduct an investigation should do it. We only want a reply. The government can get the matter investigated by anyone, including ISI, if it wills so but the facts should be told to us.”

The report regarding the missing person, Sultan Shah, was filed in the court. The court remarked matters, including Mohabbat Shah and the hanging of banners, will be heard. The AGP should assist the court. The hearing of the case was adjourned till today.

Who peddles ideas about clash of institutions, SC asks govt

 

ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has observed banners against the court were hanged when it took up the missing persons case. He said these banners were like explosives, which could cause an irreparable loss.
He remarked, “The government should tell who is out to undermine the national institutions. If the government fails to detect negligence and inefficiency, then it will cause an immense loss.” He further asked the government to reveal the elements spreading the ideas of clash between institutions in the society.

He observed, “Institutions don’t do their job and when the court does the job, then banners are hanged against it. It was a surprising thing for us that it was not in the knowledge of the interior secretary and DG IB who had hanged these banners.”

He remarked, “We don’t want to review the whole matter but the facts should be revealed to the nation. We had given the order and why all the institutions, including the army, have not implemented it. It is beyond comprehension as to why the institutions are not providing information.”

The court ordered the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) to investigate the vilification campaign launched against Justice Khawaja and file the report on Wednesday (today).

He gave these remarks while presiding over a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) hearing the case of Sultan Shah and 35 missing persons case here on Tuesday who were picked up from the Malakand internment center.

At the start of the hearing, the AGP appeared in the court and presented a secret reply about the 35 missing persons. Through this reply, the court was requested to hold an in-camera hearing of this case.

The court remarked, “We cannot conduct an in-camera hearing of this case. But we will want that if someone wants to give a briefing, we will get the courtroom vacated. We want to work but our matters are not clear.”

The justice remarked: “The DG IB and interior secretary are either incompetent or negligent. The AGP should assist. Whosoever has to conduct an investigation should do it. We only want a reply. The government can get the matter investigated by anyone, including ISI, if it wills so but the facts should be told to us.”

The report regarding the missing person, Sultan Shah, was filed in the court. The court remarked matters, including Mohabbat Shah and the hanging of banners, will be heard. The AGP should assist the court. The hearing of the case was adjourned till today.

Pemra issues letter to save its skin in SC

ISLAMABAD: Pemra was silent for 33 days after the April 19 attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir and subsequent closure of Geo, but on Thursday it wrote a ‘clear’ letter to the cable operators to restore Geo channels to their original positions.

However, this letter was written to show only a fake performance to the Supreme Court which has summoned Pemra and sought its reply.On the ground, no cable operator in Pakistan has implemented this order of Pemra and Geo and its channels remained off air or on the last numbers till late last night.

It was also clear that both Pemra and the cable operators were not serious about restoring the channel because some angels and spirits were flying around them and were forcing them to continue violating the law and the Constitution, especially Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution.

The media watchdog earlier wrote a letter on May 2, 2014 to restore Geo’s position but this letter was ridiculous and was supporting and favouring the point of view of cable operators.

Supreme Court orders in the past to restore the transmission of Geo News or other Geo channels were never implemented and Pemra always gave wrong reports and assurances to the apex court benches hearing these cases.

Even after 12 hours on Thursday after issuance of the Pemra letter, which was meant to save its skin in the Supreme Court and to give an impression as if it was fully vigilant and performing its regulatory duties very well, not even 1 percent of cable operators had restored the transmission of Geo News and other Geo channels.

At a few places where Geo could be viewed, it was thrown on the last numbers by the cable networks in order to confuse the viewers and inflict losses on the group. Not only this, in these very few areas where Geo was available on the last numbers, a majority of viewers could not watch because of low channel carrying capacity of their TV sets which is often less than 50 while Geo is thrown on numbers above 80.

Even in the past, during the last two regimes, when Geo was closed or its position was thrown to the last numbers, the Supreme Court used to pass orders to restore the Geo transmission to its original numbers but these orders of apex court were never implemented.

Pemra used to submit fake and incorrect reports to the apex court regarding the channel’s transmission but the channel would only be restored when the government of the day or our real rulers/angels would allow it.

Independent media and journalists are really worried that even at this time the government and Pemra may succeed in intentionally misguiding the apex court and any court orders to restore Geo and its other channels would not be implemented.

The PML-N government remained silent for 33 days despite five complaints by Geo and the Jang Group that its channels were being put off air.

The angels managed dirty and false propaganda on “selected” TV channels that the present government was favouring Geo in the present situation. There were many fools to believe this false statement without even comprehending that the PML-N government was not only silent on the closure of Geo News, it never took any action against cable operators for illegally and unconstitutionally blocking Geo. In fact at some instances it facilitated such cable operators.

Despite repeated requests, the PML-N government remained shamelessly inactive to get Geo restored on the cable networks and allowed unconstitutional forces to come in direct contact with cable operators and compromise its own writ.

Though Pemra overall remained inactive to get its Thursday’s letter implemented as it was merely written to show fake performance to the Supreme Court during the present hearing, few officers who started contacting the cable operators in the field to get the channels restored were threatened.

These officers received calls from blank numbers. Later they came to know that some secret people had reached the cable operators and asked them to refuse to obey orders to restore Geo or its other channels.

At some places, the cable operators informed Pemra officials that immediately after the delivery of the Pemra letter or verbal orders to restore Geo, they started receiving calls from terrorist and extremist organisations not to restore Geo.

No one to be allowed to undermine dignity of SC: Justice Jawwad

 

ISLAMABAD: Justice Jawwad S Khawaja of the Supreme Court (SC) said on Thursday that it must be kept in mind by all that the judges of the higher judiciary would never allow anyone to undermine the dignity of the apex court.
The SC took strong exception to a news channel and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) over a programme aired against the judiciary.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Mushir Alam heard the petition filed by the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on behalf of Geo Network against the negative propaganda by other TV channels and for resumption of its transmission on cable networks.

“It is learnt that the instant petition drew huge attraction”, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for Geo TV network at the start of the proceedings.Muhammad Akram Sheikh however, expressed his reservations saying that he felt harassed while taking up the case.

“We are very professional and we will deal with it professionally and we do know what our values are, thanks to Allah Almighty,” Jawwad S Khawaja remarked adding that everyone should know that they would not let anyone cause harm to the dignity of the Supreme Court.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja refused to recuse himself from the bench hearing the Geo TV

case saying a judge took the decision to disassociate himself in accordance with the Constitution.

He said that it was the conscience of the judge himself which must determine his decision whether to sit on a bench or not.

Justice Khawaja questioned the regulatory body about its presence during propaganda against the judiciary. He asked where was Pemra when propaganda was aired against the judiciary. He said “for God’s sake recognise right from wrong”.

Zakir Malik, Pemra legal head, however, informed the court that they had forwarded the complaints to the department concerned after monitoring the said programme, adding he was hopeful of action being taken on it during the course of the day.

The petitioner, the Independent Media Corporation (IMC) prayed to the court to issue directives to restrain all channels from airing allegations against other channels or media groups. The petition was filed against the backdrop of a smear campaign against the television network by rival media groups kickstarted after a May 14 morning show aired a performance by some Qawwal.

The petitioner prayed to the court to order the law enforcement and investigation agencies and lower courts all over the country to submit copies of all the criminal complaints, FIRs and petitions filed under Section 22A that contained allegations of blasphemy regarding the show.

It was further requested to issue directives for consolidation of all the FIRs that might have been registered in various parts of the country and to restrain the law enforcing and investigating agencies from registering any new case, but to forward all pending and new FIRs containing allegations of blasphemy before the Supreme Court for eventual quashing of proceedings on them.

It was also requested to order the relevant law enforcing agencies in all the provinces to take required steps for protection of the petitioners, management and staff of the Geo, Jang Group, along with their offices all over the country.

The petitioner made the federal government through secretary interior, chief secretaries of the four provincial governments and Chief Commissioner, Islamabad as respondents.Similarly, the Independent Media Corporation filed a Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA) in the Constitutional Petition No 51 of 2010 for revival of the said petition.

It was prayed to the apex court to order the revival of the titled constitutional petition in the interest of justice, equity and fair play; and may further be pleased to act strictly in accordance with the report of Javed Jabbar appointed as mediator with consent of the respondents in almost a similar episode and the mediation having been accepted by the respondents for reshuffling or blocking of the petitioner channels be restrained along with any other relief that the august court might graciously deem appropriate.

During the hearing Justice Jawwad S Khawaja pointed out to Akram Sheikh, counsel for Geo Television, that there was an objection from some quarters in respect of the constitution/impartiality of the bench.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said that the respondent or any other person having any objection against constitution of this bench might come to the court and the matter was adjourned to 1:00pm.

Later at 1:00 pm, when the court resumed the matter Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt appeared before the court and submitted that the federation had no objection to the hearing of this petition by this bench which included Jawwad S Khawaja.

However, one Sabir Shakir, Bureau Chief, ARY, Islamabad, appeared and stated that Mubashar Luqman who is an anchor person of ARY had sent him to state that he would like to engage a counsel in this case.

The court observed that there might be justification for this request though, prima facie, it did not appear so but there appeared to be some TV talk show aired last evening which might need to be seen as it appeared to be relevant in this context.

The court however, observed that in order to ensure absolute transparency in these cases, it was prepared to consider the objections which might appear from the aforesaid TV show to be against one member of this bench (Jawwad S Khawaja).

“It is possible that this objection has something to do with the news programme ‘Kharra Sach’ which was aired on ARY on May 21, 2014 (Wednesday). Therefore, we direct the registrar of the court to obtain the CD of the said programme which was aired on Wednesday and which needed to be seen as the same might throw some light on the basis or otherwise of any objection as vehemently urged by Sabir Shakir”, the court ruled in its order.

The court ruled that it would re-assemble at 2:00pm for the viewing of the TV programme. Meanwhile, the court directed its office to make arrangements for displaying relevant parts of the programme ‘Kharra Sach’ relayed the other day on ARY News Channel, through multimedia in court at 2:00pm.

Meanwhile, as the court resumed the hearing at 2:00pm, it viewed the programme ‘Kharra Sach.’ The court viewed two relevant clips of the aforesaid programme in the court through multimedia.

After viewing the relevant clips of the programme, the court observed that it was not for the present necessary to make any determination as to the nature of the excerpts from the TV programme.

The court further observed if there was any cause or matter which might require intervention in exercise of proceedings under any constitutional or statutory provision, that matter, needless to say, would proceed separately because that had no direct nexus with the matter at hand.

“The matter right now is as to whether one of us (Jawwad S Khawaja) should sit on this bench, the court ruled adding that the basis of the objection could be gathered from the second excerpt of the TV programme.

The court noted that it was in this excerpt that it had been alleged that because of a relationship (Jawwad S Khawaja) had with owner of IMC, he should recuse from the hearing of this case.

It was noted that the statement had been made by a gentleman named Aqeel Karim Dhedhi. The court however, ruled that it was quite obvious that he was totally unaware of the nature of the office of a judge and of the rules which had been laid down to ensure transparency and impartiality of benches hearing cases.

“Mr Dhedhi appears to be unaware that although the IMC owner happens to be the brother of the wife of my brother, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said adding that he did not recall the last time they met, it might have been 20 years ago, 16 years ago or perhaps at some ‘Shaadi or Ghami’ which he did not recall at present.

“It is always for the judge himself to make a determination as to whether or not his relationship with any other person is such that he should not hear a particular case in which such person is a party”, the court ruled in its order.

The court further ruled that the Code of Conduct prescribed by the Supreme Judicial Council for judges of the superior courts includes Article 4 which states that a judge should not “act in a case involving his own interest, including those of persons whom he regards and treats as near relatives or close friends.

”From this it will be evident that only such persons can trigger recusal of a judge who are considered to be close by a judge”, the court ruled adding that the rationale of this stipulation is evident from its content.“It is clear that I have no basis for regarding or treating IMC owner as a near relative,” Justice Jawwad S Khawaja ruled in the court order.

The oath of office of judges of the Supreme Court is set out in the Schedule to the Constitution as per Article 178. It is expressly stated therein that the judge “will not allow [his] personal interest to influence [his] official conduct or [his] official decision”. Judges also swear under the Constitution to “do right to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”. The Holy Quran in fact directs judges to act fairly, justly and impartially even if they are hearing cases involving their own relatives.

The above provisions of the Code of Conduct or oath of office or the verses from the Holy Quran do not impose a bar on a judge from hearing cases unless there is cause under Article 4 of the Code of Conduct reproduced above”, the court observed adding that no such cause exists in this case.

“In the present case, we may assume that the comments made by Mr Dhedhi may be in good faith, however, such comments before being aired on a TV channel licenced by Pemra could have been vetted or even in the case of a live telecast it should have been ascertained that the interviewee was aware of Article 19 of the Constitution and the law”, the court ruled in its order.

The court however, ruled that it did not intend to embark on any such inquiry as this would be a matter within the competence and jurisdiction of Pemra.

The court ruled that the Pemra should ensure that the provisions set out in Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution are strictly adhered to.

These provisions have also been incorporated in the Pemra Ordinance and the rules framed by Pemra thereunder and also in the provisions of the licences which are issued by Pemra to various channels, the court ruled.

The court observed that it might be useful to record that all litigants at times made attempts to avoid hearing before certain benches but at times such attempts were not well intentioned.

“There may even be attempts to intimidate or malign judges or institutions of the state and thereby, to undermine such individuals or institutions”, the court ruled.The court observed that the hearings of this case at intervals today was significant, adding that courts were not to succumb to any remark, defamatory or otherwise. “It is the conscience of the judge himself which must determine his decision to sit on a bench or not”, the court ruled.

“We are very conscious and careful in noting that Mr Dhedhi may genuinely have felt the way he did when he said that one of us (Jawwad S Khawaja) should recuse from this case. Therefore, it might be for some other person or some other proceedings to deal with the utterances in the TV programme as reproduced above, the court ruled adding that they had no intention to comment on matters which were sub judice before this court and before other courts including accountability courts which are part of the judicial system of Pakistan wherein Mr Dhedhi might be arrayed as a party or as an accused.

“We are deliberately and consciously not recording any remarks or comment lest it should cause prejudice to the trial or to Mr Dhedhi in such pending matters”, the court ruled.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja in the court order said that he did not find any reason whatsoever not to sit on this bench. He however referred to Article 19 of the Constitution which says, “Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.

The court ruled that barring the exclusions which had been mentioned in the said article, there could be no restriction imposed on the freedom of speech and expression set out in Article 19 of the Constitution.Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till today (Friday).

SC reinstates Najam Sethi as PCB Chairman

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has restored Najam Sethi as the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) while the court has suspended the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to reinstate Zaka Ashraf as the head, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

The court has also ordered to restore the administrating committee of the PCB.

It may be mentioned here that the IHC had reinstated Ashraf Zaka as PCB chairman on May 17 after which the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination had challenged the IHC decision in SC on Tuesday.

On May 17, Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi of the IHC suspended the management committee appointed by the prime minister, being the Patron-in-Chief of the PCB, and reinstated Zaka Ashraf as the chairman of the cricket board.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 10th February this year sacked Ashraf and appointed a committee chaired by Najam Sethi to oversee the cricketing matters. Asma Jehangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), filed the petition on behalf of the Ministry under Article 185(3) of the Constitution for leave to appeal against the IHC judgment.

The petitioner made Arbab Altaf Hussain, member Scrutiny Committee PCB, and Brig (R) Sajjad Hameed, Director HR and Administration, as respondents.

Asma questioned how the single bench of IHC “illegally” assumed jurisdiction as neither the respondent No1 Arbab Altaf Hussain was a resident of Islamabad nor were the honorary services of Arbab hired or terminated in Islamabad. She said even the principal office of PCB is not in Islamabad, adding of the 25 petitions heard by IHC, none of petitioner lived in Islamabad but they were from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Punjab.

The petitioner submitted that the impugned judgment has mixed up the notion of natural justice with the maintainability of a petition filed by an employee whose employment is regulated through non-statutory rules.

The IHC judgment has assumed that the management committee (MC) was not authorised to initiate long-term decisions as the preamble to SRO No 4-14/2008. IPC-S-11 clearly depicts the mind of the Patron in appointing MC. The MC had undertaken serious reforms in drafting constitution and submitting the same to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination.

The petitioner contended that Chairman Zaka Ashraf with a dysfunctional Board started his vendetta against professionals associated with the PCB. This has been a regular pattern and PCB cannot be allowed to be treated as a personal fiefdom of any Board of Governors or its chairman.

The IHC judgment has created a situation that will have long-term detrimental effect on PCB if not reversed promptly and it will ruin the game of cricket, the petitioner said, adding that the judgment has not only annulled the notification dated 10-02-2014 in utter violation of the judgments of the Supreme Court, but also struck down all acts, orders passed with long-term implications.

The judgment has throughout erroneously termed the MC, as interim MC, whereas the Patron had set up the MC to clean up the PCB. “The (IHC) judgment has struck a fatal blow to PCB and cricket, which will cost PCB heavily in terms of financial loss and credibility in international cricket.” the petitioner contended.

Earlier, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination had filed an intra-court appeal (ICA) in the IHC for restoration of Najam Sethi. The IHC informed the petitioner in writing that no division bench was available and is not likely to be available for a considerable period of time to hear the ICA as there are three judges working at the court. One of the judges is the author of the impugned judgment and another is the author of judgment delivered in writ petition 2241/2013 that had initially dismissed Zaka Ashraf from office.

Imran repeats charges already proven wrong in SC

ISLAMABAD: Hamid Mir’s request for evidence regarding allegation about Geo TV accepting foreign funding he made on August 2, 2013 was responded by six bullets on April 19, 2014, but PTI chief Imran Khan repeated same frivolous and baseless allegations against Geo/Jang Group despite the fact that those who concocted these charges had to tender unconditional apology before the apex court.
In his usual style of levelling any kind of accusations against each and every one, not part of his party, PTI chief Imran Khan repeated the allegations which were “part of statement of some Pemra officials” produced in a Media Commission Report. However, Imran once again cheated the whole nation by not speaking the real truth that later when the apex court had summoned all these Pemra officials to provide evidence, all of them had tendered unconditional apology for levelling these wrong and baseless allegations. It is worth mentioning that Geo had rejected apology and had demanded evidences.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had tendered apology on Friday August 2, 2013 in the Supreme Court over the statement regarding Geo TV’s awareness campaigns, including ‘Aman Ki Asha’ and ‘Zara Sochiye’. However, Hamid Mir had insisted that evidences must be provided of allegations levelled against Geo News. Counsel for Pemra Zulfiqar Maloka had submitted a written apology before the bench and stated that Pemra apologises over its statement.

The Supreme Court had remarked that it was a non-serious attitude of the Pemra officials as they should have behaved in a responsible manner. Imran Khan, who has launched a national campaign against Hamid Mir and Geo/Jang Group right after Pakistan’s top anchor and host of popular programme ‘Capital Talk’ was attacked and shot six bullets in his chest and lower abdomen, also hid a basic fact from the nation that this Media Commission Report was presented in a case which was filed by Hamid Mir himself. Hamid Mir, the petitioner in the case, had said that Geo did not seek an apology from Pemra, instead, he had said he and Geo wanted Pemra to present evidence to prove its allegations.

Not only this, Imran also repeated the allegation that Geo/Jang Group’s peace initiative ‘Aman ki Asha’, which was praised by Khan himself many times, has received big money from a Norwegian NGO ‘Friends without Borders’. It is important to mention that after PTI started airing this allegation few months back the said NGO had responded in writing that it has never ever funded Aman ki Asha initiative.

Imran Khan again tried to mislead the nation and directly attacked the institution of Supreme Court by dragging it into his slanderous allegations and provided journalists in writing a weblink of the official website of Supreme Court, saying that these allegations are present on apex court website as part of media commission report. Many judgements and reports of commissions are present on apex court website which always contains details of allegations which can later be proved true of false. These allegations present in Media Commission Report were not only proved false but even those who levelled allegations tendered unconditional apology which was out-rightly rejected by Geo/Jang Group. Imran now will have to prove all these allegations in court of law or will have to face consequences.

SC suspends notification declaring Ludhianvi winner from NA-89

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) suspended the notification declaring Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) as a winner from Jhang NA-89 on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard the petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Sheikh Muhammad Akram.

He had challenged the notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), declaring Ludhianvi as the winner after Akram was disqualified for allegedly being a loan defaulter.

The bench, while suspending the ECP notice, issued notices to all the parties in the case.

Three SC judges to probe attack on Hamid Mir

 

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ), Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, on Monday nominated three apex court judges for the judicial commission that will investigate the murder attempt on Geo News senior anchor Hamid Mir.
According to an SC official, the commission will comprise Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan and Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman.The chief justice approved the names of three judges for the judicial commission after a formal request from the government.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif decided to constitute a judicial commission to probe the incident.According to a spokesman for the PM House, the commission would be given three weeks to submit its report. The media personnel, however, demand that the probe should be completed within a week.

After the attack on Hamid Mir, media personnel, press clubs as well as members of the civil society are protesting countrywide against the attack.Hamid Mir was seriously injured after his arrival in Karachi on Saturday when unknown gunmen opened fire on his car near the Natha Khan area on Shahrah-i-Faisal.

In Nov 2012, he narrowly escaped a bid on his life when the bomb disposal squad defused a bomb planted under his car in Islamabad. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for the attempt saying that it had targeted the journalist due to his “secular agenda”.

Last month, the government announced that it would set up a special commission to protect journalists and would include press freedom as part of the agenda during the peace talks with the Taliban