ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday once again sought clarification from the government over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s possible military trial over his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.

IHC’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb presided over the hearing on PTI founder’s petition against the military trials in the May 9 case that witnessed military installations being vandalised following his arrest in a graft case last year.

“There is no clear answer from the government. I am giving you time to bring instructions in this regard,” said Justice Aurangzeb during the hearing today.

The court ordered the Ministry of Defence to give a clear stance on the next hearing after which the ministry sought time. The hearing was adjourned till next Tuesday (September 24).

The former prime minister’s pleas came in the wake of statements by government high-ups including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar that fuelled rumours of his military trial.

It is pertinent to know that in July last year, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore — in a four-page written verdict — said that reasonable grounds existed to connect the PTI founder with the May 9 incidents.

It is to be noted that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led government had initiated military trials of those involved in targeting state and military installations in last year’s riots.

The matter ended up in the Supreme Court which declared civilians’ trials in military courts null and void in its October 23, 2023, verdict which was later suspended by the apex court in a 5:1 majority ruling in December.

The majority order was announced on the intra-court appeals filed by the federal and provincial governments and the defence ministry against the top court’s verdict.

The December 13, 2023, verdict stated that military court trials would be conditioned on the apex court’s final verdict on the intra-court pleas.

During the hearing today, Justice Aurangzeb asked the procedure of handing someone in military custody. “The Ministry of Defence has no information of military detention and trial till date,” he remarked, adding that nothing regarding the matter has been brought before the ministry.

The additional attorney general said: “If any request is made, action will still be taken according to the law.”

At this, Justice Aurangzeb said he has nothing to proceed with in this case. The court then sought the procedure of civilians’ trial in military court from the defence ministry.

The defence ministry’s representative said they have a “very clean procedure”.

“If a notice is issued to PTI founder before the military trial, then the case will be wrapped up,” said Justice Aurangzeb, adding that the civil court will first frame the charge, according to the procedure.

If the trial court says that the case is to be sent to the military court, then the notice should be issued first, he added.

Qamar Bashir

The government and parliament, working in concert, appear bent on laying landmines for democracy and its institutions—actions that are more likely to backfire on them than harm institutions like the judiciary, the army, or others.

The government and parliament, which have a vested interest in clipping an independent judiciary, have resorted to a three-pronged strategy aimed at curbing judicial independence. First, they seek to prevent Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the architect of the restoration of the PTI as a political party in parliament and provincial assemblies, from becoming the next Chief Justice. Justice Mansoor is known for being resolute and independent, and his ascension could challenge the government’s interests, particularly in implementing the Supreme Court’s decision to restore PTI and allocate seats to the party. Furthermore, his leadership could accelerate the work of election tribunals, currently stalled by stays granted by Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Second, the government seeks to almost double the number of Supreme Court judges, likely to increase the presence of judges they have cultivated for political purposes. Lastly, the most serious and unconstitutional attempt involves stripping the superior courts of their independence and bringing them under the control of the executive. These actions not only undermine the judiciary but also threaten the fundamental principles of democracy by eroding the separation of powers.

The government, in its haste to bring the judiciary under its control, seems to have overlooked a fundamental constitutional principle: in parliamentary democracies, the three pillars of the state—the executive, legislature, and judiciary—perform their mandated functions independently of each other. Each branch is equal in status and independence, and none reports to the other in terms of its organizational or executive decisions. All three pillars are accountable only to the President, who serves as the head of state. Even when these branches need to communicate, they do so through the office of the President. For instance, the President administers the oath of office to both the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, convenes sessions of the National Assembly and Senate, and ultimately gives assent to bills, allowing them to become law.

While the government’s attempt to enlarge the strength of the Supreme Court may carry some logic, its attempt to give the Prime Minister the power to appoint the Chief Justice, restrict the tenure of the Chief Justice to three years, and hold judges of the superior courts accountable for their performance is absurd, outrageous, and contrary to the norms of parliamentary democracy. Such moves violate the principle of separation of powers between the three pillars of the state. Therefore, the best course of action for the government is to halt these shortsighted constitutional amendments, as it is likely to be struck down by the Supreme Court for being in conflict with the general scheme, structure, and intent of the Constitution.

In established democracies, the judiciary operates independently to check the powers of the executive and legislature. In the UK, for instance, judges are appointed through independent bodies like the Judicial Appointments Commission, ensuring merit-based appointments without political interference. Similarly, in India, the Collegium System enables senior judges to appoint their peers, safeguarding the judiciary’s independence. Granting the Prime Minister such appointment powers would seriously erode this balance and compromise the judiciary’s autonomy.

Limiting the Chief Justice’s tenure to three years is equally problematic. In democracies like Australia and Canada, the Chief Justices are appointed until a mandatory retirement age, allowing them to make long-term judicial reforms and ensure continuity in legal governance. A three-year term would allow frequent political interference in judicial appointments, undermining the stability and independence necessary for a well-functioning judiciary. Short-term tenures would make it easier for the executive to influence judicial decisions by frequently appointing new Chief Justices, diminishing the role of the judiciary as an impartial and independent body.

Furthermore, holding judges accountable to the executive or political entities contradicts the norms of judicial accountability, which should remain within the judicial framework itself. In countries like Germany and France, judges are accountable to higher judicial bodies or peer committees, maintaining their independence from the executive. Political oversight of the judiciary would open doors for manipulation, especially in politically sensitive cases, eroding public trust in the courts and turning the judiciary into a tool of the government, as seen in Hungary and Poland where similar reforms led to the weakening of democratic values.

Through these amendments, the government or establishment aims to reduce the judges of the superior judiciary to the level of civil servants, who are at the mercy of the government in terms of their postings to valuable and powerful positions and are vulnerable to punishment if they fail to comply with the legal or illegal demands of the government or establishment. As a result of such manipulative control over civil servants, the entire civil service has been weakened, becoming inefficient, self-serving, and focused on seeking power and influence rather than serving the public and the nation. This leads to a system driven by personal whims, desires, and vested interests, rather than the rule of law. God forbid, if this amendment is passed in its current form, it would spell the end of parliamentary democracy and usher in the worst form of dictatorship.

Ironically, a parliament accused of consisting of members who were selected rather than elected, and who allegedly came to the assemblies based on manipulated and falsified Form 47 results, lacks the moral standing to introduce constitutional amendments until the allegations of election rigging and issues surrounding Form 47 are resolved.

Similarly, the government is composed of ministers who are either unelected, or in the case of those elected, are alleged to have won their seats through manipulation of Form 47. The government is inefficient, with the country facing a severe law and order crisis, a surge in terrorism, rampant smuggling, disastrous financial management, dried-up foreign investment, skyrocketing inflation, and a brand value that ranks just above Afghanistan from the bottom. With these issues, how can the government be expected to bring meaningful reform to the judiciary? If the government had been functioning efficiently and delivering results, it might have some justification for initiating judicial reforms or holding the judiciary accountable for its performance.

In conclusion, these proposals would distort the balance of power in a parliamentary democracy, erode judicial independence, and weaken the separation of powers essential for democratic governance. Public trust in the judiciary and its role as an independent arbiter of the law would be severely compromised if such reforms were implemented, making it crucial to uphold the principles of judicial autonomy and democratic integrity.

Qamar Bashir

Former Press Secretary to the President

Former Press Minister to the Embassy of Pakistan to France

Former MD, SRBC, CEO, ATV

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15: A sigh of relief for inflation-stricken masses as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government on Sunday announced a massive reduction in petrol and diesel prices from September 16 for the next fortnight.

The finance ministry in a notification stated that petrol price has been reduced by Rs10 per litre while diesel price has been slashed by Rs13 per litre.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 15: /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb hosted a dinner in honor of Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and his delegation in Islamabad today.

The event was also attended by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Petroleum Mr. Mussadiq Masood Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Mr. Ali Parvez Malik, Chairman SECP, Deputy Governor SBP, Secretary Finance, Secretary for Petroleum, Special Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, and representatives of the ADB.

In his welcoming remarks, the Finance Minister highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing partnership with the ADB, underscoring the pivotal role the bank has played in supporting Pakistan’s development agenda. He commended ADB’s continued assistance in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, education, and social development.

Minister Aurangzeb provided an update on the government’s recent reforms of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), aimed at improving governance, efficiency, and financial sustainability. He noted that these reforms are central to Pakistan’s economic revitalization. Mr. Asakawa appreciated the efforts undertaken by Pakistan in this regard, reaffirming ADB’s support for the ongoing SOE reforms and their role in strengthening the country’s fiscal framework.

The Minister also took the opportunity to request ADB to further engage the private sector in Pakistan, emphasizing that the private sector will play a leading role in driving the country’s future growth and development. This, he said, will ensure a dynamic, sustainable, and resilient economy for Pakistan.

In addition, Minister Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s achievements related to the Policy-Based Guarantee and the Reko Diq guarantee, both of which have been made possible through the sovereign window. Mr. Asakawa acknowledged these accomplishments and commended Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring transparency and long-term sustainability in managing key financial obligations.

Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, in his response, acknowledged the robust relationship between Pakistan and ADB. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development goals, focusing on projects that promote inclusive growth, innovation, and climate action. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in implementing reforms that align with ADB’s broader vision for the region.

The dinner provided an opportunity for open and constructive discussions between Pakistani officials and the ADB delegation, paving the way for future collaboration on critical projects.

ISLAMABAD: Amid the government’s efforts to introduce a ‘constitutional package’ that reportedly gives it greater control over judicial procedures, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has taken centre stage, with both the ruling coalition and the opposition vying for his support in Parliament.

Both sessions of the National Assembly (NA) and the Senate — originally scheduled for earlier in the day — have been delayed multiple times as both the government and the opposition were holding consultations.

The government has been tight-lipped on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, but clarified that the package will not be a person-specific and would give the authorities ingress in the judicial procedure.

The prospects of the said constitutional package come amid speculations revolving around extension in the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa — who is set to retire in October this year — after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sought an early issuance of notification regarding the next top judge last month.

Its key points likely include the setting up of a constitutional court, a merger of the judicial and parliamentary commissions responsible for the selection of judges, as well as amendment to Article 63-A of the constitution of Pakistan, which deals with the issue of disqualification of members of parliament on grounds of defection.

As per a report published in The News, a consensus on increasing the retirement age of superior court judges has not yet been formalised, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vowing to launch a countrywide protest if the age limit of Supreme Court and high court judges is revised.

‘Numbers game sorted’
Speaking to Geo News exclusively, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted that they have achieved the magic number in both upper and lower houses of parliament for the passage of the much-touted constitutional amendment.

He said they have completed the numbers game for the constitutional amendment, also claiming the support of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl Rehman after “his reservations are removed”.

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“Apart from Maulana Fazl and coalition parties, some other votes will be secured,” the federal minister said without divulging into details. “They are not legally or constitutionally bound to any party.”

He hoped the ‘constitutional package’ would be adopted today, adding that its passage would improve the parliament’s environment.

In response to a question regarding the Supreme Court’s clarification on reserved seats verdict issued a day earlier, the defence czar said: “We will be successful despite the apex court’s statement favouring the opposition.”

He castigated the July 12 reserved seats verdict, terming the apex court’s decision ‘an attempt’ to block the way for the constitutional amendment.

Giving details of the package, Asif said it includes the formation of constitutional court and an increase in the number of judges in superior courts.

Today’s National Assembly (NA) session was initially slated for 11:30am but then changed to 4pm on a Special Parliamentary Committee’s request made to the NA speaker.

However, the session was unable to start even at the revised time and now sources claimed that it will likely to be started at 8pm.

Similarly, the Senate session slated for 4pm was rescheduled to 7pm, according to a notification from the Senate secretariat.

Proposed constitutional amendments
Meanwhile, Geo News has obtained the details of a ‘closely-guarded’ constitutional amendment bill — which sources claimed that it contains more than 20 clauses aiming to introduce major changes in Pakistan’s judicial and parliamentary systems.

The bill proposes amendments to Articles 51, 63, 175, 181 and 187 of the Constitution of Pakistan. It also includes the amendment to increase the representation of the Balochistan Assembly from 65 seats to 81.

It also proposed the formation of a constitutional court — which the draft says will hear the petitions related to Articles 184, 185 and 186. The remaining four judges of the constitutional court will be appointed by the judges, sources added.

Furthermore, inter-provisional transfer of high court judges has also been proposed.

Another important amendment proposed in the bill sought appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) through a five-member panel comprising top court judges.

A merger of the judicial and parliamentary commissions responsible for the selection of judges sought in the amendments.

‘No person specific legislation’
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar ruled out any “person specific” legislation, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensure speedy justice for the people of Pakistan.

He attributed the delay in tabling of the constitutional package to ‘ongoing broad political consultation’, saying that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl was holding consultation with opposition lawmakers on “each clause of the proposed amendments”.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar speaks to journalists at Parliament House, Islamabad, on Septemeber 15, 2024. — Screengrab/Geo News
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar speaks to journalists at Parliament House, Islamabad, on Septemeber 15, 2024. — Screengrab/Geo News
“It is difficult to proceed until extensive consultation is completed,” he said, noting that efforts were being made to reach a consensus.

Furthermore, Tarar said that it was decided in the Charter of Democracy that speedy justice would be ensured for the people of Pakistan. He also said that efforts were afoot to make progress today.

The minister said that the government does not intend to create misunderstanding regarding the clauses proposed in the amendment bill. “Once amendments are tabled in the parliament, voting will be held on each clause separately,” he added.

Earlier, the minister said that reforms were overdue to give the people of Pakistan access to speedy justice, assuring that any legislation to be done in the collective interest of the nation.

The minister remarked that many decades were passed with several cases awaiting trials and it was imperative to take measures for providing speedy justice to the people.

He said that all coalition parties had representation in the special committee constituted for this purpose.

“The government was positive about the number game”, he said, adding that JUI-F chief was an old ally and partner for the ruling coalition. He asked the media to wait for a short while to get a good news in this regard.

The number crunch
The key aspect of the constitutional amendment is that unlike any other legislation, the government will need to secure a two-thirds majority in the parliament to successfully execute it.

In the lower house, the ruling coalition needs 224 votes to pass the constitutional amendment, whereas in the Senate the number stands at 64.

Currently, treasury benches have 211 members against the opposition’s 101 MNAs meaning that the government needs 13 more votes to pass the said constitutional amendment.

The ruling coalition comprises the PML-N (110); the PPP (68); Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (22); Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (four); Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (four); Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (one); Awami National Party (one) and Balochistan Awami Party (one).

Meanwhile, the opposition comprises 80 MNAs of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) which are supported by PTI-backed independent lawmakers.

The JUI-F has eight members in the NA, whereas Balochistan National Party, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen (MWM) have one MNA each in the NA.

The ruling benches of the Senate, as per the publication, comprise PPP (24), PML-N (19), BAP(4) and MQM-P(3) in addition to four independent senators.

The total strength of the ruling benches stands at 54 as the government is short of nine votes in the Senate to pass the constitutional amendment.

As for the opposition benches in the Senate, PTI holds 17 seats, JUI-F (5) and ANP (3), while SIC, MWM, BNP, National Party and PML-Q have one seat each.

In addition to this, there is an independent senator as well on the opposition benches with the total number of opposition senators standing at 31.

KARACHI: The masses are set to have some relief in petrol prices as international oil prices have significantly dropped by 8.5%, plummeting from USD 79.39 per barrel on August 30, 2024, to USD 72.67 per barrel. This development marks a notable shift in the global energy markets.

This decline in petrol prices is largely attributed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) revising its global oil demand forecast, leading to reduced demand and subsequent price drops, said Tahir Abbas Head of Research AHL.

As an oil-importing country, Pakistan benefits from this decline, with local fuel prices adjusted fortnightly. Over the last three adjustments, petrol and diesel prices have dropped by PKR 16.50 per litre and PKR 20.88 per litre, respectively, he said.

A fourth consecutive decline in petrol prices is expected today, with petrol and diesel prices projected to decline by PKR 13.12 per litre and PKR 14.39 per litre.

Read More: Petroleum minister denies $18bn penalty in Pak-Iran gas pipeline project

However, this decline in international oil prices presents a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges for Pakistan as recent declines in oil sales have reduced the government’s revenue under the head of the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) collection, said Tahir Abbas.

With a target of PKR 1,281 billion for fiscal year 2025 –PKR 107 billion per month–, the government has only averaged PKR 82 billion per month so far. To address this shortfall, an increase of PKR 5 per litre in PDL –Petrol prices– is likely, which would limit the expected price cuts to PKR 8.12 per litre for petrol and PKR 9.39 per litre for diesel.

So, on the one hand, the country stands to benefit from lower import costs, which can help ease the burden on its foreign exchange reserves and reduce the overall cost of fuel for consumers. The recent trend has been favourable for consumers. However, the decline in oil prices also brings challenges, particularly for the government’s revenue collection.

Serena Hotels’ Green Impact Mission at Rakaposhi Basecamp, Promotes Sustainable Tourism

Centreline Report

ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels successfully concluded the Green Impact Mission: Rakaposhi Basecamp Cleanup Drive. This initiative aimed to address the rising waste issue at one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most popular tourist destinations, Rakaposhi Basecamp, while reinforcing Serena Hotels’ commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental preservation.

The cleanup drive brought together renowned climbers such as Abdul Joshi, Sultana Naseeb, Mirbaz Ali along with 50 dedicated volunteers and sherpas. The team worked tirelessly to clear litter from the basecamp, ensuring the preservation of its natural beauty. In addition to the waste collection efforts, 10 durable trash cans were installed around the site to promote responsible waste disposal by future visitors.

The drive raised awareness about the importance of sustainable tourism by engaging local communities and volunteers in conservation efforts, Serena Hotels continues to advocate for responsible tourism practices across Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Green Impact Mission at Rakaposhi Basecamp is a testament to Serena Hotels’ ongoing environmental stewardship, setting a precedent for similar initiatives across the region. Serena Hotels remains committed to promoting eco-friendly practices that protect Pakistan’s natural heritage for future generations.

Serena Hotels integrates sustainability into its operations by prioritizing energy conservation, waste reduction, and biodiversity protection, also deeply invested in cultural preservation, supporting local artisans and traditions through various initiatives. Moreover, community engagement lies at the heart of Serena’s philosophy, with projects aimed at empowering local communities and encouraging socio-economic development across the areas it operates in.