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SC issues notice to Centre in Shahbaz Gill’s torture plea

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  • Justice Ijazul Ahsan tells PTI to approach relevant forum against torture allegations.
  • Rebukes Gill’s lawyer for being unaware of procedure and purpose of physical remand.
  • Orders IO to present case record while adjourning hearing till indefinite period.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Friday issued a notice to the federal government in a case pertaining to the physical remand of senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case and allegation of torture.

The PTI had levelled allegations of torture and sexual abuse meted out to Gill during his physical remand at Adiala jail, Rawalpindi. The party claimed that Gill was tortured and abused during custody, demanding that the matter be probed.

Gill was in police custody since his arrest in the sedition case on August 9 for allegedly inciting mutiny within the military’s ranks. However, he was granted bail just yesterday (Thursday) by the Islamabad High Court following his multiple attempts to get released on bail. 

Today’s hearing

At the outset of the hearing of PTI’s plea by a three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Gill’s lawyer Salman Safdar contended that the court trying his client exceeded its authority.

“There is no example of torture meted out to Shahbaz Gill,” he said.

Justice Mazahir Akbar Naqvi inquired what the basis was of the case against Gill and what did he say.

Responding to the query, Safdar said that Gill made a speech for which he was charged under 13 sections.

At this, Justice Naqvi corrected him by saying that it wasn’t a speech but Gill made remarks during an interview on a private TV channel. He also rebuked the lawyer for being unaware of the procedure and purpose of a physical remand.

‘Relevant forum should be approached for torture allegations’

The justice inquired if PTI has approached a relevant forum against the alleged torture on Gill.

“You have to approach the relevant forum. What has restrained you from doing that?” the justice asked.

“Shahbaz Gill’s remand into police custody was the most controversial remand in the country’s history,” Safdar maintained, adding that a judge even stated in the order that torture marks were found on Gill’s body.

At this, Justice Naqvi asked if the judge would appear before the court as a witness.

“Does the criminal code apply to the Supreme Court?” Justice Naqvi asked. At this, Gill’s lawyer responded in the positive.

Masha’Allah lawyer sahib, the Criminal Code doesn’t apply to the apex court,” Justice Naqvi said sarcastically.

Later, the court directed the investigation officer to appear in the court with a case record and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

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KP CM Ganadapur granted three weeks of travel bail by PHC

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The chief minister of KP, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been granted three weeks of transit bail in his plea with the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

The appeal for information regarding charges against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was considered by a two-judge panel from the PHC, which included Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah.

The chief justice noted that the chief minister showed up for the court hearing, even though he was actually scheduled to be in Islamabad for an IMF meeting.

The applicant’s legal representative has asked for specifics of all pending charges against Chief Minister Gandapur, including those in Punjab.

According to the assistant attorney general, he told the ministry of the interior to adhere rigidly to court orders.

According to CJ Ibrahim, they have the option to request a response from the federal government and extend protection bail up to the Punjab region.

In every case, the additional attorney general ensured that court orders were implemented. He said that he had written to each district and requested details from the Punjab Police and the Inspector General.

The assistant attorney general has asked for an extension of three weeks to complete the report.

Gandapur could not attend the court daily due to his administrative duties and his position as chief minister and public office holder, according to Justice Asadullah.

After extending KP CM’s protective bail, the judge postponed the case hearing to December 17.

“Prepared to Protest”

Speaking to the media outside of PHC, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur declared that he was prepared for the PTI protest meeting and that this time, the action plan will be stringent but undisclosed.

He emphasized that their peaceful protest was in accordance with their constitutionally protected right. According to him, his group was attacked, rubber bullets were shot, and routes were blocked so that protests couldn’t take place.

Importantly, on November 24th, Aleema Khan, who is the brother of PTI founder Imran Khan, said that her brother had called for a final protest.

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The acquittal request of PTI founder Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II case has been denied.

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Shahrukh Arjumand, the Special Judge for the Central Region, rejected the acquittal pleas submitted by Bushra Bibi and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in the prominent Toshakhana reference case.

On Monday, possible charges may be officially filed against the accused, thanks to the court’s decision.

Claims in the lawsuit center on the alleged misappropriation of presents from the Toshakhana, a state depository for such gifts, and the matter has attracted considerable public interest. Following the acquittal plea’s denial, the prosecution will likely move forward with more legal actions, and the parties involved will likely make additional court appearances.

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PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s Media Statement: Pak-US Relations Remain Stable and Will Enhance Following President-Elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration

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Nawaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has spoken hope regarding the stability and potential enhancement of Pakistan’s relations with the United States following President-Elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the recent US elections.

The PML-N President stated that the Indian cricket team ought to have visited Pakistan for the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which may have enhanced bilateral relations.

Nawaz criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on smog pollution in Punjab, questioning, “Where is the billion-tree tsunami? Where are the billion trees, the 5 million jobs, and the dams?” I am unable to perceive anything. PTI should identify the project initiated during its governance at the federal level.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam stated that the smog issue has persisted for long years and cannot be rectified instantaneously; nonetheless, we are exerting our utmost efforts to address it. We are undertaking all necessary measures to address this issue. No measures were implemented previously to address this issue.

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