Latest World News: SC bans authorities from arresting PTI chief in murder of lawyer
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday barred authorities from arresting PTI President Imran Khan until August 9 in a case relating to the murder of lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar in Quetta.
A three-member bench headed by Judge Yahya Afridi and comprising Judge Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Judge Musarrat Hilali issued the guidelines while hearing Imrans’ plea to quash the case.
On June 6, Shar was shot by unidentified assailants near Alamo Chowk on Airport Road. According to the police, the attack happened while he was on his way to the Balochistan High Court (BHC), being targeted by unknown persons armed with automatic weapons.
The government and the PTI had swapped blame over the incident, with both sides accusing the other of playing a role in the murder. Prime Minister’s aide Attaullah Tarar had alleged that the lawyer had been killed at Imran’s request to escape responsibility in a treason case, while PTI spokesman Raoof Hassan had accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of being behind the killing.
It should be recalled that Shar had filed a constitutional petition against the PTI leader in the High Court of Balochistan, seeking prosecution against the ex-Prime Minister under Article 6 of high treason.
Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was filed on the complaint of Shars’ son, attorney Siraj Ahmed, at Quettas Shaheed Jamil Police Station against Imran.
An Anti-Terrorism Tribunal (ATC) had subsequently issued warrants for Imrans’ arrest in the case, which were later confirmed by the BHC. Imran had then applied to the Supreme Court to annul the FIR registered against him.
During the previous hearing on July 20, the formation had ordered the ex-prime minister to appear before it in person before requesting the cancellation of the FIR and the arrest warrants.
Hearing today
Imran appeared before the SC at today’s hearing alongside his lawyers. At the start of the hearing, the Advocate General of Balochistan urged the SC to instruct the petitioner to appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) charged with investigating the murder.
In response, Judge Afridi said the court would not issue such an order at this stage. Why do you want to involve the president of the PTI in the investigation? asked Judge Naqvi.
The Attorney General said the FIR justified the inclusion of PTI leaders in the investigation.
While rejecting the Balochistan government’s request, the court also rejected Imran’s request to adjourn the hearing to a later date. Judge Afridi noted that the investigation report in the case had been submitted and the court had to look at the facts.
The court ordered the head of the PTI to appear at the next hearing scheduled for August 9.
IG submits investigation report
Ahead of today’s hearing, Attorney General of Balochistan (IG) Abdul Khalique Shaikh submitted the investigation report in the case before the Supreme Court.
The report gave a summary of the case, saying that the son of the slain lawyers believed that Imran and his party members killed his father because of the petition he filed with the BHC. He added that the son had been informed by Shar a day before the incident that he had received threats with disastrous consequences after filing the petition.
The report further states that three other Asghar Ali, Najab Ali and Sardar Khan were also named in the case later.
The report states that the investigator then carried out all the legal formalities of the initial investigation and also collected evidence which was then sent for analysis. Eyewitness and indirect witness statements were also recorded, he added.
Geolocation was also performed and Call Detail Record (CDR) of the eyewitness and deceased’s phone number was obtained. The CCTV footage from the locations close to the crime scene was also obtained and sent for analysis to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), he said.
The report further notes that a seven-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed in the case and its first meeting was held on June 12 during which the case file was reviewed.
The report indicates that the seventh meeting of the JIT was held on July 17. He says the accused Asghar and Najab were not found at their homes and notices were again posted on their doors, but they did not show up. He added that the head of the PTI had also been invited to appear at the next meeting, scheduled for July 21.
So far, the arrest of the accused and further investigation are ongoing. All resources are used for this purpose, the report says.
Imran sees the possibility of Ishaq Dar becoming prime minister as a joke
The PTI leader was harassed by journalists when he appeared in court today, who quizzed him on recent political developments before the judges entered the courtroom.
He was asked about the possibility of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar being appointed caretaker prime minister, to which he retorted: There can’t be a bigger joke than that.
He was also asked if anyone had made a backdoor contact, to which he replied in the negative.
Asked about his expectations from the SC, Imran said: I expect justice from the Supreme Court.
As for his expectations of Chief Justice Designate Qazi Faez Isa, Imran paused for a moment before saying: Let’s see what happens.
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An Overview of Global Events in 2023
In 2023, the world witnessed a myriad of events that left a lasting impact on global affairs. From political developments and economic shifts to environmental challenges and breakthroughs in science and technology, the year was marked by significant changes and a sense of urgency for collective action. Here’s an overview of some of the latest world news in 2023.
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