In landmark verdict, Pakistan top court orders restoration of graft cases against public office holders

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Updated 15 September 2023
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In landmark verdict, Pakistan top court orders restoration of graft cases against public office holders

  • Ruling could lead to reopening of cases against ex-PMs Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Shaukat Aziz
  • Amendments widely criticized for having been passed to benefit influential suspects and legitimize corruption

ISLAMABAD: In a 2-1 verdict, the Pakistani Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ordered the restoration of corruption cases against public office holders that were withdrawn after amendments to the country’s accountability law.

Former prime minister Imran Khan had moved the top court in June last year against amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.

The amendments made several changes to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, including reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving sums of over Rs500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to relevant authorities.

Khan had appealed that the amendments be struck down as they had been enacted to benefit influential suspects and legitimize their corruption.

The Supreme Court’s judgment could now lead to the reopening of cases against former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Shaukat Aziz, among many others.

“All inquiries, investigations and references which have been disposed of on the basis of the struck down Sections [of the NAB ordinance] are restored to their positions prior to the enactment of the 2022 Amendments and shall be deemed to be pending before the relevant fora,” said the majority 2-1 verdict written by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. “The NAB and all Accountability Courts are directed to proceed with the restored proceedings in accordance with law.”

Apart from limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving over Rs500 million, the 2022 amendments allowed suspects to claim the amount of plea bargain deposited after being acquitted.

The court also declared null and void verdicts issued by the accountability courts in light of the amendments made to the NAB law and directed NAB to send the record of the cases to relevant courts within seven days.

One of the Supreme Court judges, Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, however, disagreed with the majority verdict, also endorsed by Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, saying he would write a detailed dissenting note in the coming days.

However, he said: “In my humble opinion, the primary question in this case is not about the alleged lopsided amendments introduced in the NAB law by the Parliament but about the paramountcy of the Parliament, a house of the chosen representatives of about 240 million people of Pakistan.”

“It is about the constitutional importance of parliamentary democracy and separation of powers between three organs of the State. It is about the limits of the jurisdiction of the Court comprising unelected judges, second judging the purpose and policy of an enactment passed by the Parliament, without any clear violation beyond reasonable doubt, of any of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution or of any other constitutional provision,” he added.

Pakistan’s last government, the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz, had introduced 27 key amendments to NAO, which became law after being adopted in a joint sitting of parliament.

Khan’s petition against the amendments said they would set aside “corruption cases against the president, prime minister, chief ministers and ministers and provide an opportunity to convicted public office-holders to get their convictions undone.”

“The amendments to the NAO are tantamount to depriving the citizens of Pakistan of having access to law to effectively question their chosen representatives in case of breach of their duty toward the people of Pakistan,” the petition had argued.


Al-Azhar University to establish campus in Pakistan, says Egyptian grand mufti

Updated 10 January 2025
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Al-Azhar University to establish campus in Pakistan, says Egyptian grand mufti

  • Founded in 970 CE, Al-Azhar is known for its scholarship in theology, jurisprudence and Arabic studies
  • The grand mufti also asked Pakistan to send scholars to Egypt to benefit from the institution’s expertise

ISLAMABAD: Egyptian Grand Mufti Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad announced Friday Al-Azhar University, a renowned center of Islamic learning, plans to establish a campus in Pakistan, a move welcomed by Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who pledged full government support during their meeting in Islamabad.
Founded in Cairo in 970 CE, Al-Azhar is celebrated for its rigorous scholarship in Islamic theology, jurisprudence, Arabic studies and modern sciences. With a legacy spanning over a millennium, the university is a key authority on Islamic thought and attracts students globally.
The discussion on branching out into Pakistan took place during a meeting between the two officials, which was also attended by the Egyptian ambassador to Pakistan.
“Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad, Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, thanked the federal minister for his warm welcome and said that Al-Azhar University will establish its campus in Pakistan,” read an official statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education.
“He said it is important that people learn the Arabic language to understand the true teachings of Islam,” it continued.
The Pakistani minister highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties his country shared with Egypt, both of which, he noted, were part of the world’s oldest civilizations. Siddiqui described Al-Azhar University as a beacon of Islamic scholarship, expressing his aspiration to visit the institution in Cairo.
During the meeting, he also highlighted Pakistan’s upcoming International Girls Conference, scheduled for January 11-12, which aims to promote girls’ education in Islamic countries.
“It is a misconception that Islam does not allow women’s education,” Siddiqui said, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for women.
The Grand Mufti noted that over 40 percent of Al-Azhar University’s students were female. He also encouraged Pakistan to send scholars to Egypt to benefit from the institution’s expertise.
Al-Azhar’s operations are primarily based in Egypt, where it has campuses in several cities. Internationally, the university extends its influence by offering scholarships to students who disseminate its teachings upon returning to their home countries.
The university has also collaborated with educational institutions worldwide and established cultural centers to promote Islamic studies and the Arabic language.
In 2022, Pakistan’s late religious affairs minister, Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, announced plans to open a campus in Lahore.
The initiative, which included Al-Azhar providing faculty, curriculum and textbooks, was to be administratively managed by Pakistan.


Pakistan receives over 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan receives over 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students

  • The scholarships were announced in July last year under the Allama Iqbal Scholarship program, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries
  • The program, which covers tuition fees, accommodation and monthly stipend, offers scholarships in medical, engineering, agriculture and other fields

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received more than 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships it announced for Afghan students last year, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan said on Friday.
The scholarships were announced in July last year under the Allama Iqbal Scholarship program, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries that prompted Islamabad to launch a deportation drive targeting unregistered Afghans in late 2023.
The program, which covers tuition fees, accommodation and a monthly stipend for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies at Pakistani universities, was introduced in 2009 to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighboring states.
In a statement issued from his office, Pakistan’s special representative Sadiq Khan said this is the third phase of the program that will offer fully funded scholarships in medical, engineering, agriculture and other fields over the next three years.
“This month, over 22,000 applicants will take an online test, followed by interviews for final selection. The entire process will conclude within 45 days,” he said.
“Notably, 33 percent of the scholarship seats are reserved for female students.”
Pakistan last year announced the scholarships on the same day its federal cabinet approved the extension of registration cards for 1.5 million Afghan refugees for another year.
Ties between the two countries have been strained because of a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan’s western regions that border Afghanistan.
The attacks particularly surged after the breakdown of a fragile truce between the Pakistani government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Nov. 2022.
Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
The two countries also conducted cross-border strikes in each other’s territory last month in the latest escalation of hostilities along the border.


Pakistan hopes for stronger ties with Lebanon as Joseph Aoun elected president

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan hopes for stronger ties with Lebanon as Joseph Aoun elected president

  • Aoun’s election came weeks after a ceasefire deal halted a 14-month conflict between Israel, Lebanese group Hezbollah
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen bilateral cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Joseph Aoun for being elected as the new president of Lebanon, expressing Pakistan’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Aoun’s election came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are seeking international assistance for reconstruction.
Aoun, no relation to former President Michel, was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, whose assistance Lebanon will need as it seeks to rebuild.
In his message on X, Sharif wished Aoun success in his endeavors to lead Lebanon toward peace, stability and prosperity.
“Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen our bilateral cooperation,” the Pakistan prime minister said.
Pakistan and Lebanon share close relations. In December, Lebanon helped Islamabad safely evacuate around 300 Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria and transport them back home via chartered flights from Beirut.
Pakistan has also sent several relief consignments for the people of Lebanon during Israel’s bombardment of the Middle Eastern country.


Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

  • Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December
  • The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a 5.6 percent increase in remittances in December on a month-on-month basis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday, congratulating the nation on the record inflows.
Remittances bring billions of dollars annually from overseas Pakistanis and are vital to Pakistan’s economy. These inflows bolster foreign exchange reserves, stabilize the balance of payments, and support the Pakistani currency.
Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December, according to a statement issued from Sharif’s office. The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year.
Sharif said the record increase in remittances was a testament to the determination of overseas Pakistanis to play their role in the development of the South Asian country.
“After economic stability, Pakistan has embarked on the path of economic development,” he said.
Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 by clinching a last-gasp $3 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The South Asian country has since made some economic gains, most notably slowing the annual consumer inflation to 4.1 percent in December. This was down from 38 percent in May 2023.
Pakistan’s government has vowed to undertake economic reforms mandated by the IMF which include tightening fiscal policies, privatizing loss-making state-owned enterprises and enhancing tax revenues.
“The government of Pakistan is committed to the country’s development and public welfare,” Sharif reassured in his statement.


Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

  • Motorways in Pakistan have a dedicated police force, but various crimes, including rapes, have been reported in the past
  • Communications minister says 30-35 motorbikes will boost motorway security and improve response time in the first phase

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has ordered the launch of a pilot motorbike patrol to enhance security of motorways in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday.
Pakistan’s motorway network has improved road connectivity for the people and the government has deployed a dedicated motorway police force, installed CCTV cameras and established emergency response systems, but security concerns have persisted for travelers.
In 2020, the gangrape of a woman traveling from Lahore to Gujranwala via the M-11 motorway in front of her children sparked widespread outrage in the country, leading to calls for enhanced security measures. In 2023, a motorway police officer was also arrested on allegations of raping a woman on the highway, according to a report in Dawn newspaper.
“Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the motorways authority to launch a pilot motorbike service aimed at enhancing security and surveillance on motorways,” the Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcaster reported.
“The motorway police have been instructed to utilize existing resources to kick-start the service with plans for expansion in the future.”
Khan directed the motorway police to include 30-35 motorbikes for patrolling in the first phase to boost security measures and improve response times, according to the report.
The communications minister urged the National Highway Authority, Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organization, and local police to collaborate in securing the motorways.
“Motorway police must take maximum responsibility for ensuring the safety of citizens while a robust mechanism should be developed to make motorway travel as secure as possible,” he added.