Iran hangs 5 drug traffickers

The latest hanging brings to 192 the number of executions reported in Iran so far this year, according to an AFP tally based on media and official reports.

Iranian media reported 179 hangings last year but international human rights groups say the actual number was much higher, ranking the Islamic republic second only to China in the number of people it executed in 2010.

Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain law and order, and that it is applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings.
Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are among the crimes punishable by death in Iran.

Kazmis judicial remand extended for 14 days

Former religious affair minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi was brought to the senior civil judge of Islamabad Aslam Gondal’s court in Haj corruption case on Wednesday.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Khalid Butt told the court that the FIA found 14 plots that were registered against the name of Kazmi’s family members. He said that the total value of plots was estimated around Rs 4 million and the FIA would submit evidence to the court in this regard.

Extending the judicial remand of the former minister, the court sent him to jail for 14 days.

Qaim suspends 13 negligent officials, orders fresh probe

KARACHI: Sindh’s Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has suspended over a dozen officials who were held responsible for breaches of protective embankments at River Indus by a Judicial Commission.

Addressing a news conference at the Chief Minister House today, Shah said, “I have ordered a fresh inquiry in line with the findings of the Judicial Commission.

Referring to the commission’s report, he said that nobody had breached Tori and SM bunds, adding that water pressure and poor supervision led to the breakages.

He said that the commission had advised the government to get resignation of negligent officials voluntarily.

“I have transferred the chief engineer of Guddu barrage and suspended more than 13 officials,” he said. Trend Pk

LHC Stays Amendment in Blasphemy Law

LAHORE, News Trends: Lahore High Court (LHC) prevented any amendment in Blasphemy law until the judicial ruling is finally out.

The court ruled on a petition filed by a citizen that no amendment be made in blasphemy law until the court delivers verdict on the case.

The court said the Law could not be presented at the National Assembly floor till the court decides a case on the topic.

Jehangir opposes CJ’s sole discretion to name judges

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Noted human rights activist and President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Asma Jehangir says that the Chief Justice (CJ) should not have the sole authority to recommend names for judges in the Judicial Commission.

Speaking at a seminar here on Tuesday, she said two senior judges involved in the Judicial Commission should also have the authority to recommend names for the appointment of judges.

The SCBA chief said that no relative of the commission’s members should be considered.

“If any member feels that his relative is competent, he should first voluntarily surrender his membership,” she advised.

“Although I am in favor of cases of public litigation, suo motu notices should not be taken on a daily basis.”

She further said that a proper method should be adopted for suo motu notices.

Ms.

JAPC’s meeting being held in Islamabad today

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The second meeting of Judges Appointing Parliamentary Committee (JAPC) is being held in Islamabad to finalize the appointment of the chairman and other rules and regulations.

The meeting of an eight-member committee is being held in Parliament House, Islamabad. The meeting is scheduled to review the proposals on appointing a chairman for the committee.

One proposal suggests that turn by turn, each member should be made chairman of the committee, while another proposal has been submitted that the chairman should be made with the majority’s choice. The meeting will evaluate both.

The meeting will also examine the appointment of the Judicial Commission’s nominee, Justice Ajaz Chaudhry’s as the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (CJ-LHC).

According to sources, JAPC will finalize the name of Justice Ajaz Chaudhry as the

SCBA delegation calls on CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday.

According to sources, the Chief Justice invited SCBA delegation to solve lawyers’ problems. The newly elected female President of SCBA, Aasma Jahangir, headed the delegation. The meeting continued for three hours.

The sources added that the SCBA delegation discussed the complaints of the lawyers, regarding daily cause list and the hearing of the cases, with the Chief Justice and exchanged views about SCBA’s reservations on the judicial policy.

The SCBA delegation and the CJ agreed upon the issuance of monthly and fortnightly cause lists. Trend Pk

Justice Ejaz Chaudhry nominated as new Chief Justice of LHC

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission has unanimously nominated Justice Ejaz Chaudhry as new Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Trend Pk reported Saturday.

Justice Ejaz Chaudhry is the senior most judge in Lahore High Court.

Incumbent Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif will retire on December 8, 2010.

The Judicial Commission held its first formal meeting to finalize the nomination for the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry chaired the meeting.

According to a Trend Pk correspondent, all 11 members of the commission unanimously nominated Justice Ejaz for the slot. Trend Pk

Justice (R) Qazlabash refuses to be member of judicial commission

Newly appointed member of the judicial commission Justice (R) Ali Hussain Qazlabash has refused to work as the member, Dunya News reported on Tuesday.
It has been learnt that Justice (R) Qazlabash has refused to work as the member of the commission due to his bad health. Justice (R) Qazlabash has said that he is a heart patient and needs rest therefore he would not be able to continue with the new appointment whereas on the other hand the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has accepted the resignation of Justice (R) Qazlabash.

Adv Yaseen Khans nomination for Judicial Commission disapproved

Supreme Court on Monday rejected the nomination of Advocate Yaseen Khan Babar by the Sindh Bar for inclusion in the Judicial Commission.
In a letter to the Advocate General Sindh, the SC said that the nominated lawyer was not a senior SC lawyer, and asked to notify another senior most lawyer in this regard. However, the letter also sought Yaseens experience certificate. It merits to mention that Sindh Bar Council (SBC) unanimously notified Yaseen Khan to represent Sindh in the JC. The SBC is likely to notify another lawyer in this respect.

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