Author: Umer Mehtab

An accountability court granted pre-arrest bail to former premier Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, in a £190 million corruption reference. The case involves alleged corruption in the Al-Qadir University Project Trust, where Khan and his wife are accused of obtaining billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town Ltd. Imran Khan, currently in jail, is said to have played a pivotal role in the illicit transfer of funds for the payment of land by Bahria Town. Khan and his wife were indicted in the case, with others involved being declared proclaimed offenders. During the recent hearing, Bushra Bibi’s lawyers submitted…

The Islamabad district and session court has rejected the pleas of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to suspend their seven-year sentences in the Iddat case. They were convicted based on a complaint filed by Bibi’s ex-husband, alleging that they contracted marriage during her Iddat period. The sentences were handed down shortly before general elections. Despite receiving 14-year sentences in the Toshakhana case and 10-year sentences in the cipher case, the Toshakhana case sentences were suspended in April, and the cipher case charges were dropped. The Iddat conviction faced criticism from civil society and women activists…

The Islamabad High Court’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has ordered the declaration of Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad as an “enforced disappearance/missing person” until he safely reaches home. Farhad was allegedly abducted on May 15, leading to widespread calls for his release. After multiple court orders, Farhad resurfaced on May 29 in the custody of Azad Jammu and Kashmir police. Despite facing legal challenges, including a rejected bail plea, efforts are ongoing to ensure his safety and well-being. Justice Kayani framed 12 questions related to the roles of intelligence agencies and ordered the formation of a larger bench to address cases…

The Islamabad High Court has allowed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to record statements of PTI leaders regarding the party’s social media activity without harassment. The FIA had summoned PTI leaders for allegedly using Imran Khan’s X account to spread “incendiary content” against state institutions. The court clarified that the petitioners had no connection to the account and ordered them to appear for statements without facing adverse actions. In a separate development, the IHC stated that journalists were free to report on court proceedings, highlighting the issue of irresponsible reporting. CJ IHC emphasized that there was no ban on court…

Acquittal of Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Cipher Case The Islamabad High Court provided a major relief on Monday by acquitting PTI founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case. This decision came after their appeals against their convictions were accepted by the court. Despite the acquittal, they are not expected to be released from prison due to other legal issues they are facing. The cipher case revolves around a diplomatic document that allegedly threatened to topple Imran Khan’s government. The special court had initially sentenced both Imran and Qureshi to 10…

Islamabad High Court’s Justice Babar Sattar recently issued a written court order stating that no state official is authorized to surveil citizens, with anyone doing so being liable for offenses. The order came during a hearing on petitions filed by Bushra Bibi and Najam Saqib against alleged audio leaks. The judge dismissed requests for recusal and criticized attempts to intimidate the court. The court also issued contempt notices to officials for seeking recusal. The order highlighted the breach of citizens’ fundamental rights and banned unauthorized surveillance by intelligence agencies and telecom companies. During the hearing, Justice Sattar questioned government officials…

Islamabad High Court Orders Live Streaming of Missing Persons Cases Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, senior puisne judge at Islamabad High Court, has issued an order for the live streaming of all missing persons cases. The purpose of this decision is to enhance public awareness and understanding of crucial legal matters. This development took place during a hearing regarding the disappearance of Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad Shah. Justice Kayani has summoned top officials from intelligence agencies such as ISI, MI, and IB, as well as various government secretaries, for the next hearing scheduled on May 29. The judge has highlighted the…

In a case regarding the missing Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad Shah, Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has summoned officials from intelligence agencies and the defence and interior ministries. The petition for Shah’s recovery was filed by his wife after he was allegedly abducted on May 15. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has urged for Shah’s immediate release. Justice Kayani ordered the Attorney General of Pakistan to recover the poet within four days and emphasized the need for transparency in the workings of intelligence agencies. He expressed his concerns about the state’s failure in recovering missing…

Islamabad High Court’s senior judge, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, emphasized the role of intelligence agencies in assisting, not leading, investigations during a hearing on enforced disappearances. The Attorney General for Pakistan presented a report on the matter, prompting Justice Kayani to inquire about the number of affected individuals over the past decade. Justice Kayani stressed that all actions must adhere to the law, with intelligence agencies providing support to police and the Federal Investigation Agency. He acknowledged the political nature of the issue and commended efforts to recover missing persons. Nevertheless, concerns were raised about the lack of progress in…

Islamabad High Court (IHC) senior judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasized the need for intelligence agencies to dispel the perception of forced abductions during a hearing regarding the disappearance of Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad Shah. Shah’s wife filed a petition seeking his recovery, leading Justice Kayani to order the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jameel Zafar to retrieve Shah at any cost. The judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the response from the defence ministry and ordered an explanation for Shah’s disappearance. Advocates Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha represented Shah’s wife in court, revealing that Shah had been missing…