ISLAMABAD: In a historic development, Justice Aalia Neelum took the oath as the first woman Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday, following the approval of her appointment by President Asif Ali Zardari in a notification issued a day earlier.
The LHC has significant importance in dealing with pivotal constitutional and rights-related cases in Pakistan. It has also been served by several highly respected female jurists in the past, though none of them had been elevated to the top position to manage the court’s internal affairs.
A senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Ayesha Malik, was also part of the LHC before she was appointed to the apex court.
“Throughout her career, Justice Miss Aalia Neelum has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Pakistan’s state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency said in one of its reports.
“She has played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gender-Based Violence Courts and has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights,” it added.
Justice Neelum, who began her legal career in 1996, received a guard of honor before the Punjab Governor, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, administered her the oath.
According to APP, she quickly took on cases in various domains after joining the legal profession, including constitutional law, white-collar crime, anti-terrorism, accountability and banking laws.
She became an LHC judge in 2015, and her appointment as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court was made by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Qazi Faez Isa, last week.
In a milestone development, Lahore High Court’s first woman chief justice takes oath
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In a milestone development, Lahore High Court’s first woman chief justice takes oath
- Justice Aalia Neelum’s appointment was made by CJP Faez Isa in a meeting last week
- She played a vital role in establishing Gender-Based Violence Courts during her career
Pakistan’s finance ministry forecasts July inflation of 12 percent to 13 percent
- Central bank cut rates this week for the second time in a row as previously surging inflation was tempered
- Government had also cut fiscal deficit to 4.9 percent of GDP between July 2023 and May 2024, down from 5.5 percent last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s finance ministry expects inflation in July to range between 12 percent and 13 percent, easing further in August to stand between 11.0 percent and 12.0 percent, it said in a monthly economic outlook released on Tuesday.
Inflation figures likely to be released on Thursday by the statistics agency are closely watched by the central bank, which cut rates this week for the second time in a row as previously surging inflation was tempered.
The government had also cut the fiscal deficit to 4.9 percent of GDP between July 2023 and May 2024, the ministry said in its report, down from 5.5 percent last year.
Pakistan struck a deal this month with the International Monetary Fund for a $7-billion-loan program that includes tough measures such as higher tax on farm incomes and electricity prices.
This prospect has aroused concern among poor and middle class Pakistanis contending with the threat of further inflation and higher taxes.
Inflation has slowed in recent months after hitting more than 30 percent in 2023. Pakistan’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 12.6 percent in June on the year.
But pressure continues and one Islamist party has held protests in recent days and threatened sit-ins in major cities if the government does not tackle rising prices.
Pakistan face Kuwait today in Asian U18 Volleyball Championship
- On Monday, Pakistan defeated India in a thrilling match of tournament
- The Green Shirts bagged a 3-2 win over South Korea in their first match
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be facing Kuwait today, on Tuesday, in their third match of the Asian U18 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain.
The Green Shirts bagged a 3-2 win over South Korea in their first match. Pakistan dominated in all departments in their second match against India on Monday, defeated the traditional rivals with an impressive scoreline of 3-0.
Pakistan’s third and last group match against Kuwait is scheduled to begin at 9pm Pakistan time, according to the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF).
“The team is determined to continue their winning streak and bring further glory to the nation,” the PVF said in a statement.
The national side victory over India marked a significant achievement for Pakistan as the team exhibited outstanding skill and determination in the game.
Ajmal Junaid, Abubaker, Muhammad Yahya and Muhammad Anas demonstrated exceptional play and coordination in securing the victory, which not only uplifted the team spirit but also brought immense joy to volleyball fans across Pakistan.
The 15th Asian U18 Volleyball Championship began on July 28 and will continue till August 4.
Two escape unhurt in suspected militant firing on UN vehicle in Pakistan— police
- Banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan distances itself from attack on UN vehicle
- Pakistan has suffered surge in militant attacks carried out by TTP in northwestern province since Nov. 2022
PESHAWAR: Two United Nations officials remained unhurt after unidentified gunmen targeted their vehicle in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, a police official confirmed, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militant attacks in the country’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan.
A police spokesperson from Pakistan’s northwestern Tank district confirmed that unidentified gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on a UN vehicle near Hathala town in Dera Ismail Khan district. He said the two UN officials in the car remained unhurt.
“The UN vehicle was coming to Tank from D. I. Khan when it came under attack,” police spokesperson Muhammad Ibrahim told Arab News. “However, the two staffers are safe and have arrived in the district administration’s compound.”
Pakistan’s security forces have suffered a surge in attacks from the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group in the country’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan since an uneasy truce between the state and the banned outfit fell apart in November 2022.
The TTP, which seeks to impose its strict version of Islam in the South Asian country, has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistani civilians and security forces since 2007 before the army conducted multiple operations to drive them out of the tribal areas.
However, the banned outfit distanced itself from the attack in a statement, blaming the Pakistan Army instead for carrying out such attacks.
“Military operations against such institutions are carried out by Pakistan’s security institutions to restore their reputation and secure dollars from world powers,” TTP spokesperson Muhammad Khorasani said in a statement.
“The TTP’s objectives are clear and we will continue our war for our objectives, meaning against the security forces,” he added.
Repeated attacks from the TTP against Pakistan’s security forces have soured relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of providing shelter to TTP militants to attack Pakistan. Kabul has denied the allegations and insisted it does not allow any group to launch attacks on other countries from its soil.
Ties further strained between the two countries after Pakistan launched a deportation drive last year targeting what it said were “illegal” immigrants in the country after a spike in suicide bombings. Islamabad, without providing evidence, blamed the surge in attacks on Afghan nationals. Pakistan has also said Afghan nationals are involved in smuggling, militant violence and other crimes in the country.
Pakistan army gives retired officer 14 years jail for ‘inciting sedition’ among personnel
- Lt. Col. Akbar Hussain convicted after military trial on May 10 and stripped of rank on July 26
- Retired Major Adil Raja, Captain Haider Raza Mehdi got 14 and 12 years respectively last year for sedition and espionage
KARACHI: A retired military officer, Lt. Col. Akbar Hussain, was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison for “inciting sedition among army personnel,” the Pakistan army’s media wing said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hussain was convicted in May after a military court trial under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, and he was stripped of his rank on July 26, the military added.
“The court of competent jurisdiction adjudged him ‘guilty’ of the offense charged, through due judicial process and awarded the punishment of 14 years rigorous imprisonment on 10th May 2024,” the army said in a statement.
The statement said two other retired officers, Major Adil Farooq Raja and Captain Haider Raza Mehdi, were convicted and sentenced last year through the Field General Court Martial on “charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the State.”
“The court of competent jurisdiction had convicted and adjudged both Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi on the date of 7th and 9th October 2023, through due judicial process, with the punishments awarded as 14 and 12 years of rigorous imprisonment respectively and forfeiture of rank of both individuals with effect from 21 November 2023,” the statement concluded.
The Pakistan army rarely shares details of military court trials.
In 2019, the military said it was conducting court-martial proceedings against two senior officers on charges of espionage but gave no details on the identity or rank of the officers nor what country or organization they were alleged to be spying for.
In 2012, a Pakistan military court sentenced five army officers to prison for having ties with the Hizb-ut-Tahrir fundamentalist group.
Torrential rains lash northwestern Pakistan, killing 13 in 24 hours
- Casualties include 11 members of same family who drowned in Kohat district
- Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change
ISLAMABAD: Thirteen people, including 11 members of a family, were killed in rain-related incidents over the past 24 hours across northwestern Pakistan, the provincial disaster management authority said on Tuesday as heavy monsoon rains lashed the province.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned on Monday that strong monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal can trigger heavy rains and flash floods in Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Sindh and the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
“As a result of accidents due to recent rains, 13 people died and six people were injured during the last 24 hours,” a PDMA KP spokesperson said in the authority’s daily situation report on Tuesday, adding that of these, “eleven members of the same family died due to heavy rain in Kohat district.”
According to rescue services, the family members drowned when flood water inundated the basement of their house.
The report said two men, four women and seven children were among the total 13 casualties while the six injured include a man, two women and three children. The disaster management authority said 16 houses in total were damaged due to wind and heavy rains during the last 24 hours, of which 15 were partially damaged whereas one was completely destroyed.
The report highlighted that Kohat, Bajaur, Lower and Upper Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Swabi districts suffered financial losses due to the torrential rains. It said roads in these areas were also closed to traffic.
“PDMA, district administrations and relief teams are engaged in relief activities in the affected areas,” the spokesperson said.
PDMA also directed district administration officials to provide immediate financial support to all the victims, adding that authorities and district administration officials were in close contact with them.
Flash floods also washed away the main Mahandri bridge in Kaghan, leading to disruption in traffic to Gilgit-Baltistan via Babusar Pass. Roads and infrastructure throughout Kaghan and surrounding areas were also damaged and a main fiber optic cable was cut off, causing an over four hour disruption in Internet and other telecommunications services in Gilgit-Baltistan.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the NDMA to implement urgent measures to ensure public safety amid torrential monsoon rains in many parts of Pakistan.
