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India-Pakistan

Convict in Musharraf attack case hanged

2015-01-01

[DAWN] A former technician of the Pakistain Air Force convicted of making an attempt on the life of former army chief Gen Pervez Perv Musharraf ... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ... in 2003 was executed at the Beautiful Downtown Peshawar ...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire. Central Prison on Wednesday morning. Officials present at the time of the execution said Niaz Mohammad was calm and composed when he was being taken to the gallows. "Niaz requested his parents to impart education to his children and forgive him if he ever hurt their sentiments," an official said, adding that the convict had also sought forgiveness from the public on the lam as well as prayers for him. Johar Ijaz, a judicial magistrate, supervised the execution. Personnel of police, Elite Force and army were deployed in and around the colonial-era prison. The last execution at the Peshawar jail was carried out on June 6, 2006, when Mawas Khan of Peshawar's Sufaid Sung area was hanged. According to sources, a brother, wife and three children of Niaz were allowed to meet him before the execution. His body was taken to his native village in Swabi an Edhi ambulance. SEVEN HANGINGS: So far seven convicts have been hanged since the lifting of a moratorium on death penalty by the government after the Peshawar school carnage. Six of them were convicted in cases related to attacks on Pervez Musharraf. In the first attempt on the life of the former president, which took place near Jhanda Chichi bridge in Rawalpindi on Dec 14, 2003, Niaz Mohammad, another former PAF junior technician Adnan Rashid, who later escaped during the 2012 Bannu jailbreak, former chief technician Khalid Mehmood, former senior technician Karam Din and former corporal Nawazish were sentenced to death by the Field General Court Martial at the PAF Base Chaklala on Oct 3, 2005. The sixth, Nasrullah, also a junior technician, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Their appeals were rejected in Feb 2006 by a court of appeal under the Pakistain Air Force Act. Later on March 28, 2006, the Lahore High Court dismissed their petitions. A Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had on Sept 25, 2006, rejected their appeals against the high court verdict. The apex court also dismissed the convicts' review petitions in 2011. Abdul Islam Siddiqui, an army soldier who was separately tried in the same case, was executed on Aug 20, 2005, after his conviction by a court martial. Muqadam Khan adds from Swabi: Niaz Mohammad was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in Swabi on Wednesday. His funeral was attended by his relatives and a large number of people. Media personnel were not allowed to make videos or take photographs of the funeral.

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India-Pakistan

Imran withdraws 'apologetic' letter to Iftikhar Chaudhry

2014-08-28

[DAWN] Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... (PTI) chairman Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems... has withdrawn a legal response to a defamation notice that appeared to be praising former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

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India-Pakistan

CJ links restriction of smuggled arms, narcotics to Karachi peace

2013-10-30

[Dawn] Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Tuesday said if the flow of smuggled arms and narcotics is restricted throughout Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , situation in the city would be normalised. The chief justice, heading a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, was hearing the implementation of Karachi unrest case at the SC's Karachi registry. He appreciated the efforts of police and rangers forces in arresting criminals during the ongoing targeted operation in the port city and remarked that both law enforcement agencies had begun to realise their responsibility. Other members of the bench are Justice Jawad S. Khuwaja and Justice Gulzar Ahmed. After going through the reports submitted by rangers and police regarding clampdown against outlaws, one member of the bench asked the counsel appearing on behalf of rangers whether enjugged Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up! criminals were being put on trial in the courts. The counsel told the court that rangers handed over the suspects to police, which have lodged FIR against them and charge-sheeted them in the courts, adding that several suspects were also being interrogated by a joint investigation team. To a question regarding results of the operation being conducted in the city, Advocate General Sindh Khalid Javed Khan said that operation was yielding results and an improvement in Karachi's law and order situation was noticeable. The chief justice questioned the advocate general about the situation prevailing in Lyari ...one of the eighteen constituent towns of the city of Karachi. It is the smallest town by area in the city but also the most densely populated. Lyari has few schools, substandard hospitals, a poor water system, limited infrastructure, and broken roads. It is a stronghold of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Ubiquitous gang activity and a thriving narcotics industry make Lyari one of the most disturbed places in Karachi, which is really saying a lot.... and also asked whether the troubled neighbourhood was still a no-go-area and citizens were enjoying rights under Article 9 of the Constitution, which guarantees security to every citizen.

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India-Pakistan

Perv Released From House Arrest

2013-10-10

[NY Times] A Pak court granted bail on Wednesday to Pervez Perv Musharraf ... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ... , the country's former military ruler, clearing the way for him to leave the country as early as Thursday, his lawyers said. Mr. Musharraf, 70, has been under house arrest at his villa outside Islamabad since April, facing criminal charges in three cases related to his nine years in power, from 1999 to 2008. The prospect of a former army chief facing potential imprisonment appeared, for a time, to signal new limits to the unofficial immunity from prosecution that Pakistain's top generals have long enjoyed. Mr. Musharraf had already been granted bail in two of the three cases, and the decision on Wednesday to grant bail in the third -- related to the death of Akbar Khan Bugti, a Baloch nationalist leader killed in a military operation -- opens the door for him to avoid prosecution entirely. Mr. Musharraf's lawyers said that his bail payment of $20,000 could be processed as early as Thursday morning; he could then leave Pakistain immediately. Ahmad Raza Khan Qasuri, the vice president of Mr. Musharraf's political party, the All Pakistain Mohammedan League, said that Mr. Musharraf might go to see his 90-year-old mother. "He's a free person -- he can go out whenever he likes," Mr. Qasuri said in a telephone interview. "His mother, who is a very aged lady, lives in Dubai. He might go tomorrow or the day after to see her. But his base will continue to be in Islamabad." Still, Mr. Musharraf has rebuffed previous entreaties from his advisers, and from senior military leaders, to leave Pakistain, particularly if doing so would prevent him from returning to fight his battles in court. Aides say that Mr. Musharraf, a former commando with a famous stubborn streak, insists on clearing his name and does not want to spend his retirement in exile. But for the military, his case has become an unwelcome distraction, complicating relations among the army, the civilian government and the courts and raising the prospect of a troubling precedent. Mohammed Amjad, secretary general of Mr. Musharraf's party, told news hounds outside his home that if Mr. Musharraf leaves Pakistain, it will be only temporarily. "He will not escape from Pakistain," Mr. Amjad said. Mr. Musharraf has been incarcerated Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit! at his luxurious farmhouse outside Islamabad rather than in prison for security reasons, following Taliban threats to his life. Aides say he has been confined to two rooms in the house, which has a swimming pool and sweeping lawns, and has had limited access to his friends and family. Still, in a country where senior military officers are generally considered to be above the law, the sight of a former military ruler facing justice in a civilian court is a startling novelty. Besides the three current criminal cases, Mr. Musharraf faces potential treason charges for his role in suspending the constitution in 2007, though few analysts believe the government of Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... is likely to go ahead with those charges. Mr. Musharraf was disqualified from standing in the general election in May, in which his party performed poorly. More generally, few Paks have shown much enthusiasm for returning him to power. One factor in Mr. Musharraf's present calculation might be the position of his nemesis, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, whom he tried to fire in 2007. With Mr. Chaudhry due to retire in December, analysts say that Mr. Musharraf might be waiting until then to decide whether his long-term future lies in or out of Pakistain.

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India-Pakistan

SC orders Sindh govt to clear Karachi of weapons, no go areas

2013-09-27

[Dawn] The Supreme Court of Pakistain Thursday ordered the provincial government in Sindh to clear the capital, Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... of illicit arms, ammunition and "no go areas." The larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has directed the authorities concerned to initiate the process for surrendering of illicit weapons within 15 days for ensuring peace in the port city. The court, in its interim order passed in Karachi law and order implementation case, ordered the application of rule of law as well as the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens under Article 9 of the Constitution. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, and Director General Rangers (Sindh) were directed to submit reports on the next date of hearing that "the entire city has been cleared and there is no 'no go area' there anymore." The Supreme Court, showing satisfaction with Sindh government over promulgating a law on the subject, urged the other provincial governments to attend to the issue as well at the earliest. "It may be pointed out that in countries like Pakistain where such situation exists, the executive authorities have to take drastic steps with a view to control and maintain law and order situation in order to protect the life of the citizens." "In the instant case without depoliticising the police, positive result apparently seems to be an uphill task; however, to ensure peace in Karachi, certain steps will have to be taken." The Supreme Court declared presence of 2.5 million aliens in Karachi more alarming than assassination and similar violent activities. "Presence of such persons is not only a factor for increase in crime, but at the same time without proper registration, they are a burden on the national economy and many other administrative problems." The government should take immediate action against them in accordance with law, namely the Foreigners Act, ordered the apex court bench. The court also ordered NADRA and police to initiate cleansing operation by identifying fake National Identity Card (NIC) holders in the city.

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India-Pakistan

Missing Nato containers: One-man-commission submits report to SC

2013-09-12

[Dawn] Former member of Customs, Ramzan Bhatti, on Wednesday submitted his fact finding report regarding smuggling of arms and ammunition as well as evasion of duty on different items at Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... Port and Port Qasim. Bhatti submitted his sealed report to the Supreme Court, Karachi Registry in compliance with the order passed on August 30 by the larger bench of the apex court in the case pertaining to law and order situation in Karachi. Earlier on Tuesday, big shot of Muttahida Qaumi Movement ...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead... (MQM) and former minister for ports and shipping Babar Ghauri filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking to become party in the case. The controversy over the disappearance of thousands of containers surfaced after an inquiry into the matter was ordered by the court on a claim made by Director General of Sindh Rangers Maj-Gen Rizwan Akhtar that 19,000 containers had been stolen from the Karachi Port when Ghauri was the ports and shipping minister. A Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, tasked the commission to ascertain: (a) As to whether arms or ammunition are brought or smuggled through the sea and what are the possible measures and ways to be adopted to stop it. (b) Who can be held responsible for the smuggling of arms and ammunition in the country through ships, vessels as well as launches and what are the reasons for not preventing the smuggling of the same. (c) As to whether the Customs officials posted at the Ports of Bin Qasim and Karachi manage to recover hundred per cent customs duty and the revenue or there are certain mechanisms on the basis of which these duties are evaded, which cause loss to the public exchequer and ultimately such black money is used for illegal activities and promoting crimes in the country.

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India-Pakistan

Mamnoon Hussain takes oath today

2013-09-09

[Dawn] President-elect Mamnoon Hussain will take oath of office on Monday as the 12th head of state. The oath will be administered by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at a ceremony to be held at the Presidency. It will be a rare event as former president Asif Ali Zardari, who stayed in the Presidency for five years till Sunday, will also attend the ceremony along with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... , members of the federal cabinet and heads of parliamentary parties. Even though the PPP had boycotted the presidential election, Mr Mamnoon Hussain was felicitated by Mr Zardari who wished him well in the discharge of his responsibilities as the head of the federation.

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India-Pakistan

Centre favours ISI, IB role in Karachi action

2013-08-31

[Dawn] The federal government submitted in the Supreme Court on Thursday that intelligence agencies were required to identify the first and second line leaderships of all criminal groups in different communities in the disturbed areas of Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... as well as of a hitherto unknown outfit, Muhajir Republican Army, so that action could be taken against them under the law. This was stated in a report submitted to a five-judge larger bench by Attorney General Munir A. Malik, who had been asked on Wednesday to inform the court about the stance of the federal government on providing assistance to the Sindh government in normalising the situation. The bench, which comprises Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad Khawaja, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Ather Saeed and Justice Azmat Saeed, is hearing implementation of its judgment in the Karachi law and order case. The report said the law and order situation in Karachi was in shambles when the present government took over in June. It said the city was confronted with multi-dimensional threats compounded by a rapid increase in population as over a period of time criminal gangs had matured into formidable syndicates by entering into alliances with terrorist organizations. "Unfortunately, various facets of these syndicates have succeeded in developing political patronage in various forms," the report said, adding that an "extremely careful and responsible handling is required to disentangle the situation". The report suggested that an outright major operation should be avoided in crime-infested Lyari ...one of the eighteen constituent towns of the city of Karachi. It is the smallest town by area in the city but also the most densely populated. Lyari has few schools, substandard hospitals, a poor water system, limited infrastructure, and broken roads. It is a stronghold of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Ubiquitous gang activity and a thriving narcotics industry make Lyari one of the most disturbed places in Karachi, which is really saying a lot.... at all costs because "it could open an additional front". More visible security forces should be deployed in Kutchhi community-dominated areas. In addition to the existing coordination, the report said, both Intelligence Bureau and Inter-Services Intelligence should identify the first and second tier leaderships of all criminal groups in different communities in the troubled areas. The IB, through technical and communication intelligence, including geo-fencing, should collect evidence about criminal activities of these ringleaders. Individuals financing displaced persons in Badin or Thatta also needed to be identified. All-out efforts are needed to identify members of the Muhajir Republican Army and take action against them under the law.

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India-Pakistan

SC calls for vigilance against Jirga system

2013-07-12

[Dawn] The Supreme Court ordered law-enforcement agencies on Thursday to remain vigilant and take swift and strict action to ensure that girls and women were not exchanged to settle local disputes through the Jirga system. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry also asked the federal and provincial governments to ensure that people were protected against highhandedness by implementing the court's previous judgments and relevant laws that discouraged the Jirga system. Under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2005, section 310A was inserted into the Pakistain Penal Code (PPC) and the custom of giving women for the sake of peace was declared a crime. That section has now been replaced by the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act of 2011. The Supreme Court in its April 24, 2006, verdict had also asked the government to amend section 310 of the PPC or make an insertion in the Family Act of 1964 to dissolve marriages conducted under 'wani'. The court had asked the registrars of the high courts and the presidents and general secretaries of the district and tehsil bar associations to set up legal aid committees to help the victims whenever cases of wani or swara were reported to them.

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India-Pakistan

Re-election ordered on Hafizabad's NA-103

2013-06-13

[BETA.DAWN] The Election Commission on Wednesday declared the result for NA-103 void and ordered re-polling in the Hafizabad constituency as it upheld the objections raised by a losing candidate that election on the seat was marred by rigging. The Election Commission's order came on the complaint of Pakistain Mohammedan League -- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Hussain Bhatti who had lost to independent candidate Liaquat Hussain Bhatti. The Election Commission on May 18 had issued recount orders for the constituency. However, there is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened... today, it said that in the wake of large-scale rigging reports it has been decided to hold re-election in the constituency. The May 11 general elections witnessed a huge turnout but allegations of rigging also clouded its transparency partly, particularly from opposition Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaaf. Earlier on Monday, PTI chief Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems... had a statement saying he believed that Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had failed in dispensing with their duties to check rigging.

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India-Pakistan

CJ takes suo motu notice of 'blasphemous content' on internet

2013-06-11

[BETA.DAWN] The top judge of Pakistain on Monday took suo motu ...a legal term, from the Latin. Roughly translated it means I saw what you did, you bastard... notice on "ever increasing blasphemous material circulating on the internet," indicated by a Brit of Pak origin, said a blurb issued by the Supreme Court. Barrister Amjad Malik, the applicant, prayed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would issue necessary directions to Pakistain Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the government and other concerned institutions of the country to block such "objectionable pages promoting blasphemy in the name of freedom of expression." The applicant also urged the Supreme Court to direct for meaningful steps for the international community to protect the name of Prophet Mohammad (PTUI!). Barrister Malik drew attention of the apex court towards the blasphemous material for "having far reaching implications on the minds, the lives and liberties of mainstream Mohammedan population." It may be mentioned that YouTube -- a video-sharing website -- has also been blocked in Pakistain by the PTA over 'Innocence of Mohammedans,' a blasphemous movie that angered Mohammedans around the world. Fearing a violent reaction and the subsequent denial of YouTube to remove the anti-Islam film, the website was blocked on September 18, 2012 on the orders of then prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. The site was back on earlier this year but was blocked once again after a few hours.

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India-Pakistan

Two allegedly held by intelligence agencies produced before SC

2013-05-04

[Pak Daily Times] Two tossed in the calaboose Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! persons allegedly picked up by the intelligence agencies from Butkhela, Malakand, in 2009 and 2010 were produced before the Supreme Court for the first time on Friday after their arrest. A three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had ordered the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... government to produce the two accused before it on May 2. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir, Home Secretary Azam Khan and Additional Advocate General (AAG) Naveed Akhtar appeared before the apex court that had taken up the petition moved by right activists Asma Jehangir. One of the detainees, Muhammad Ibrahim, was locked away Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! on n September 11, 2010, from Butkhela, whereas the other, Hidayat Shah, was arrested on December 23, 2009. Both were later sent to the internment centres set up under the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations (AACPR) 2011 promulgated by President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ... in exercise of his powers under Article 247 of the constitution. These internment centres set up under AACPR near Pak-Afghan border in the Orakzai Agency ... crawling with holy men, home to Darra Adam Khel, the world's largest illegal arms bazaar. 14 distinct tribes of beturbanned primitives inhabit Orakzai agency's 1500 or so square kilometers... allow the civil government to confine persons accused of terrorism. Asma described the AACPR law as worse than the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act introduced by India in 1985. According to the prosecution both the accused are residents of Butkhela -- an area that is situated in the jurisdiction of the PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas). According to a statement submitted by the home secretary, the internment authorities had recommended the trial of both accused under terrorism charges after weapons were recovered from their possession, but they were later sent to the internment centres. The apex court, however, expressed its surprise over why the accused were not sent to the courts to face trials and noted that all during the detention, the family members of these accused were not allowed to meet them. However, today is that tomorrow you were thinking about yesterday... the home secretary assured the apex court during the proceedings that the family members of the accused would be allowed to meet them. The court directed the AAG to regulate the meetings between the accused and the family members and submit a report to the registrar of the Supreme Court for perusal by judges in chambers.

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