ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday remanded former prime minister Imran Khan’s acquittal petition back to a trial court in a corruption case in which he is accused of receiving land as bribe from a real estate tycoon, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said.
The corruption case against Khan, or the Al-Qadir Trust case as it has become popularly known, involves accusations that the former prime minister and his wife, Bushra Bibi, set up a charitable trust named Al-Qadir in 2018 as a front to receive valuable land as gift from real estate developer Malik Riaz Hussain.
The Al-Qadir Trust runs a university outside Pakistan’s capital Islamabad devoted to spirituality and Islamic teachings, a project inspired by Khan’s wife who has a reputation as a spiritual healer. Khan and his wife deny any wrongdoing, saying that charges against them are politically motivated.
In August, the IHC issued a temporary stay barring a trial court from issuing the final order in the case. The former prime minister filed an acquittal plea, which was turned down by an accountability court in September.
“IHC two-member bench has remanded the acquittal petition by Mr. & Mrs. Khan back to the trial court in Al-Qadir Trust case,” the PTI said in a statement.
The party said the defense counsel had argued that “no personal gains” received by Khan could be established in the case and that the trustees had not benefitted from any transaction.
“IHC has instructed the trial court to announce the decision on the acquittal petition,” the PTI said. “We are hopeful it’ll lead to ordering the release of both Mr. & Mrs. Khan.”
HOW DID THE BRIBE ALLEGEDLY WORK?
Pakistan’s government says the controversy originated with 190 million pounds repatriated to Pakistan in 2019 by Britain after Hussain forfeited cash and assets to settle a British probe into whether they were proceeds of crime.
Instead of putting it in Pakistan’s treasury, Khan’s government used the money to pay fines levied by a court against Hussain for illegal acquisition of government lands at below-market value for development in Karachi.
Pakistan’s then interior minister Rana Sanaullah said Hussain gave the land to Khan through the Al-Qadir Trust in exchange for that favor.
Khan, who was removed from office after losing a parliamentary vote in April 2022, continues to remain popular among the masses. He has been languishing in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in four cases. Pakistan’s courts suspended two of the verdicts against Khan while he was acquitted in the remaining two.
Since his ouster from the Prime Minister’s Office, Khan has led a campaign of unprecedented defiance against the country’s powerful military, whom he accuses of colluding with his political rivals to orchestrate his removal and keeping him imprisoned.
The military and incumbent coalition government deny Khan’s allegations vehemently.
Pakistan court remands ex-PM Khan’s acquittal petition to trial court in graft case
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Pakistan court remands ex-PM Khan’s acquittal petition to trial court in graft case

- Khan and his wife are accused of receiving expensive land through trust as bribe from real estate tycoon
- IHC has instructed Pakistani trial court to announce decision on Khan’s acquittal petition, says his party
Pakistan urges OIC to transform its pronouncements on Kashmir into ‘tangible actions’

- Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since their independence from Britain in 1947
- Both countries claim the territory in full and have fought two of their four wars over the disputed region
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister has urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to transform its pronouncements on the disputed Kashmir region into “tangible actions,” the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday, following a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, which came in the backdrop of Israeli military campaign against Iran and Pakistan’s recent military conflict with India.
While Pakistan’s brief standoff with India ended in a ceasefire last month, Israel’s attacks on Iran were followed by US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, raising fears of further instability in an already volatile region.
Addressing envoys of OIC member states, Pakistan’s deputy premier and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, described New Delhi’s actions in Indian-administered Kashmir as a replication of the Israeli designs in Palestine, referring to alleged human rights violations and attempts to change demographics of the disputed Himalayan territory.
“The OIC’s pronouncements on Jammu and Kashmir are a major source of support to the Kashmir cause,” Dar said. “However, in view of the mounting challenges to the Kashmiri struggle, the OIC should transform its pronouncements into tangible actions. The Organization should scale up its efforts for mitigation of the Kashmiri people’s sufferings and finding a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries have fought two of their four wars over the disputed region, which is ruled in part but claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan.
The latest conflict between the two neighbors was also triggered by a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort town, which killed 26 tourists on April 22. India blamed the attack on Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of fanning an insurgency on its side of Kashmir. Islamabad denies this and maintains that it only offers moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris.
Dar said Indian authorities exploited the Pahalgam attack to launch a massive crackdown in Kashmir.
“There are reports that over 2800 Kashmiris were arrested or questioned in the immediate aftermath of the attack,” he said. “The draconian Public Safety Act was slapped on at least 75 of them. The police carried out extensive searches at multiple residences of the locals. Around three dozen houses were razed to ground through the use of explosives.”
The Pakistani deputy PM said the disturbing developments in Indian-administered Kashmir have once again shown that a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute is imperative for a lasting peace in South Asia.
“The region is home to over one-fifth of the world population. It could ill-afford the consequences of irresponsible Indian actions,” he said, urging the OIC and its members to use their influence to urge India to improve the human rights situation, release political prisoners and implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

- A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department this week forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts on June 20-23
ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and lightning strikes killed at least six people and injured five others in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province this week, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday.
A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods that have lashed the province since June 20, according to a PDMA report. The accidents occurred in Mansehra, Buner, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand and Kohistan districts of the province.
“The deceased include three men, one woman and two children, while the injured include three men and two women,” it said.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) this week forecast pre-monsoon rains in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab and KP from June 20 till June 23.
“The PDMA has already issued a letter to the district administrations to remain alert and take preventive measures,” it added.
Last month, rains and thunderstorms killed at least 26 people in KP and Punjab provinces, authorities said.
Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

- Experts warn the latest strikes could have ‘catastrophic’ economic and security implications for Pakistan
- In phone call with Iran president, Pakistan premier offers Islamabad’s support to de-escalate the crisis
ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities violate international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statute, the Pakistan prime minister’s office said on Sunday, as experts warned of their economic and security implications for Islamabad.
The strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz early Sunday, came amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, which Israeli officials claim is nearing weaponization, an allegation Iran denies, insisting its activities remain peaceful and under international safeguards.
While the amount of damage remained unclear, the strikes have fueled fears of a wider conflict, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying the US had “crossed a very big red line,” the time for diplomacy was over and Iran had the right to defend itself. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday afternoon and conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA, according to Sharif’s office.
“These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” Sharif’s office said. “While noting Iran’s right to self-defense, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the prime minister stressed upon the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward.”
Sharif called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context, according to his office. President Pezeshkian conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran.
Pakistan’s foreign office earlier said Islamabad condemned the strikes and was “gravely concerned” at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.
“Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” it said, adding that Iran had the right to defend itself under the United Nations (UN) Charter and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and “immediately bring the conflict to an end.”
“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.”
Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has since retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has now directly joined the campaign.
Experts have warned that the latest US strikes could have “catastrophic” economic and security implications for Pakistan.
“The economic implications of a wider war would be catastrophic for Pakistan. First and foremost, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, our major concern will be the import of oil, as most of our oil supplies come from the Middle East,” Shakeel Ramay, a Pakistani economist, told Arab News.
“This would severely impact our economy since a significant portion of our power grid is powered by imported oil and gas from the region. The disruption would affect electricity production and have far-reaching consequences for our transportation network as well. The government will need to manage rising prices in the short term.”
Lt. Gen. (retired) Naeem Lodhi, a former Pakistani defense secretary, said Pakistan had so far acted “wisely” by condemning the attacks on Iran and offering to mediate the crisis.
“At this point, Pakistan needs to remain alert and ensure that it does not get directly involved. It must not allow any country — on either side — to use its soil, airspace, or any other assets,” he told Arab News.
“Although staying completely uninvolved is difficult due to our geographic proximity, it is still the most desirable course of action.”
If the war expanded, Lodhi said, Pakistan would face “serious challenges.”
“Many Pakistanis believe that if Iran is defeated in this war, it could create long-term problems for Pakistan,” he said.
“A new regime in Iran might not be friendly toward Pakistan and could even become hostile, bringing yet another threat to our borders. That is a key concern Pakistan must keep in mind.”
The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the United States, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.
“Certain demands may be made that Pakistan will find hard to ignore. For instance, if Arab countries become involved — which is likely — there could be strong pressure on Pakistan to support them in some capacity, whether through logistics, access to airspace, or even bases,” Lodhi said.
“While it may be relatively easier to say no to the United States despite its influence, refusing multiple allied Arab countries will be much more difficult. Still, Pakistan’s current leadership, especially the military leadership, is well aware of these dangers and will likely try to keep the country out of the conflict.”
Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

- Gilgit-Baltistan, which produces 9,000 tons of cherries, exported over a quarter of the crop to China last year
- Agricultural experts say the region’s cold climate is ideal for growing cherries, apricots and apples
SKARDU, Gilgit-Baltistan: As Pakistan begins to export cherries to neighboring China, a colorful one-day festival in Skardu this week drew hundreds of visitors, highlighting the potential of agri-tourism and cherry farming in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials and growers said.
Home to the Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world — GB is often described as Pakistan’s gateway to China.
The region’s cold climate is ideal for growing high-quality fruits such as cherries, apricots and apples.
“This is the 5th National Cherry Festival, and we are organizing Agri-Mela as part of the festival,” Zakir Hussain, deputy director at the GB agriculture department, told Arab News on Friday.

“The aim of this festival is to introduce cherry as a cash crop.”
He said the event, organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed to raise awareness about harvesting, marketing and the economic importance of cherries.
According to the GB agriculture department, the region produces 8,000 to 9,000 tons of cherries annually, with dried cherry marketing now also underway.
“Almost 3,000 tons of cherries had been exported to China in 2024,” Hussain said, adding that GB was the leading cherry-producing region in Pakistan.
Local farmers say the festival boosts their income and visibility.

“We have been growing cherries for the last 12 to 13 years and we have 200 to 300 cherry trees in our orchard,” said Skinder Ali, a 40-year-old farmer. “Whenever the festival is held in Gilgit-Baltistan, we participate. And due to this event, we get access to the market at the national level.”
The festival also attracted tourists from other parts of the country.
“We especially came to Skardu to see the cherries, and we are from Islamabad,” Zohra Begum, a 52-year-old visitor, said. “We have been visiting [the stalls] for the last hour... The taste of cherries is very good ... So far we have purchased 10 kilograms. Let’s see how much we purchase later.”
“I am a traveler and biker from Lahore,” said Mohsin Abbas, another tourist. “We were in Shigar last night when we came to know about the festival. So we came here... We have tasted the cherries and they are very delicious.”
Ghulamullah Saqib, an agriculture expert and trainer, said the region’s climate is well suited for cherries, which require 800 to 1,000 chilling hours to bear fruit.
“There are 14 varieties of cherry that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he added.
Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

- Thousands of Pakistanis take part in religious gatherings, processions every year in Muharram
- Energy ministry instructs DISCOs to inspect distribution networks, place teams on high alert
iSLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Energy Ministry on Sunday directed senior officials of distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate religious gatherings next month during Muharram.
Thousands of Pakistanis every year during the Islamic month of Muharram take part in religious gatherings and processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
In its letter, the ministry said Muharram is falling in July when heat waves are expected in many parts of the country.
“It is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitate these religious gatherings and avoid any inconvenience to the public,” the letter said.
The ministry urged DISCOs to conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where religious gatherings and processions are expected to take place.
It also directed the companies to deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram when the main processions take place, to address any power disruptions immediately.
The ministry instructed DISCOs to communicate with consumers, especially mosques and imambargahs, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimize inconvenience.
“Assign duty rosters to ensure 24/7 availability of technical and operational staff during Muharram to respond swiftly to any power-related issues,” the letter read.
“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect,” it said. “Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously.”
The Energy Ministry directed DISCOs to submit a compliance report to the Power Division regarding the measures taken in this regard.
Thousands of people suffer from power outages, lasting several hours each day, during the summers every year in Pakistan.
Pakistan suffers from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in its energy supplies and electricity demand. The cash-strapped country lacks adequate resources to run its oil-and-gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs.