SC allows HEC to continue until new law is enacted

The Supreme Court, disposing of the petitions about the purposed devolution of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), ordered the commission to continue until new laws were enacted.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the petitions regarding devolution of the HEC. Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq said that no notification had been issued regarding devolution of the HEC. He said that any change in the HEC status would be made after proper legislation and a legal draft was being formulated about the matters relating to the higher education in the country.

The CJP asked the petitioners, Azam Swati and Marvi Memon, to solve the issue in parliament. Marvi said that the parliamentarians were being misguided on the issue.

NAB chief appointment: SC adjourns hearing till Nov 2

Justice Javed Iqbal on Monday observed that the appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain as NAB chief is problematic for many because he would be hearing the cases against important personalities and not those of the laymen, a practice he used to do in the capacity of a judge.
The Supreme Court on Monday resumed hearing of two significant cases: one challenging the appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain Shah as NAB chief and the breach of wrong embankments by influential people during the flooding.
A three-member judges’ bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, heard the petitions.Advocate Shahid Orakzai argued in the court against Deedars appointment, saying that Article 207 of the Constitution put many barriers for the post of a judge; violation of which has been done by many judges who have been involved in illegal activities.
He further contended that Deedars health also did not allow him to hold a post pertaining to accountability. The court adjourned the cast till November 2.
Meanwhile, the SC sought a written reply from federation, Sindh and Balochistan governments, concerned departments besides disaster management authority vis–vis breach of wrong embankments by November 10.
During a hearing of suo moto notice of illegal breaching of embankments and dykes, satellite survey pictures were presented in the court, while the court also managed to get the video footages from the TV channels.
However, the court said that the footage and pictures were vague and thus ordered the anchorpersons, who went to the flood-battered areas for coverage, to submit their reports.
The apex court also directed the chief secretaries of all the four provinces to file a transparent and truthful report in this regard.

NAB chief appointment: SC adjourns hearing till Nov 2

Justice Javed Iqbal on Monday observed that the appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain as NAB chief is problematic for many because he would be hearing the cases against important personalities and not those of the laymen, a practice he used to do in the capacity of a judge.
The Supreme Court on Monday resumed hearing of two significant cases: one challenging the appointment of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain Shah as NAB chief and the breach of wrong embankments by influential people during the flooding.
A three-member judges’ bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, heard the petitions.Advocate Shahid Orakzai argued in the court against Deedars appointment, saying that Article 207 of the Constitution put many barriers for the post of a judge; violation of which has been done by many judges who have been involved in illegal activities.
He further contended that Deedars health also did not allow him to hold a post pertaining to accountability. The court adjourned the cast till November 2.
Meanwhile, the SC sought a written reply from federation, Sindh and Balochistan governments, concerned departments besides disaster management authority vis–vis breach of wrong embankments by November 10.
During a hearing of suo moto notice of illegal breaching of embankments and dykes, satellite survey pictures were presented in the court, while the court also managed to get the video footages from the TV channels.
However, the court said that the footage and pictures were vague and thus ordered the anchorpersons, who went to the flood-battered areas for coverage, to submit their reports.
The apex court also directed the chief secretaries of all the four provinces to file a transparent and truthful report in this regard.

SC all set to announce decision on 18th Amendment case

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan is all set to announce its decision on the 18th Amendment case on Thursday.

The hearing of the petitions against the 18th Amendment started on May 24; on September 30 the Supreme Court reserved its decision after completing the case’s hearing.

A 17 member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will announce the decision on the petitions.

Special entry passes have been issued today for entering Court No. 1 and special additional security arrangements have been made at the entrance of the Supreme Court. SAMAA

Parliament has blocked road of adventurism: CJP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing of the petitions challenging various clauses of the 18th Amendment till tomorrow.

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Parliament has blocked road of adventurism: CJP

18th Amendment case hearing adjourned

ISLAMABAD: A 17-member larger bench of the Supreme Court Wednesday adjourned hearing of the petitions challenging various clauses of the 18th Constitutional Amendment till July 26.

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18th Amendment case hearing adjourned

Political parties endorsed Martial Law: Ramday

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court adjourned hearing of the petitions challenging certain clauses of the 18th Amendment on Tuesday, ARY News reported.

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Political parties endorsed Martial Law: Ramday

Security man martyred in Timergirah suicide attack

DIR: A security man was martyred and 14 others including 11 security personnel wounded in a suicide attack at a gate of Scouts cantt in lower Dir.

Police sources said two militants opened indiscriminate fire and hurled hand grenade at the gate of Balam Bat scouts cantonment while third blew himself at the gate after failed attempt to get entry into the cantt. Eleven security men and passerby wounded in the blast. Security forces imposed curfew and started search operation in the area.

Data Darbar tragedy: five police suspended

LAHORE: Inspector General of Punjab Police Tariq Saleem Dogar suspended at least five policemen including a DSP and an SHO for gross neglect in security at Data Darbar, which caused the tragedy on Thursday claiming 43 lives of innocent people, Geo News reported Monday.

Talking to Geo News, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Aslam Tareen said SHO Lower Mall police station Nazeer Upal, Chawki Incharge Data Darbar Sub Inspector Muhammed Wasim and two constables—Tahir and Irfan, have been suspended for causing security lapse in the Data Darbar incident.

Meantime, IG Dogar also suspended Lower Mall Ahmed Nawaz and ordered him to report to police line.

Also, SSP Operations Chaudhry Shafeeque Gujjar has already been made OSD.

The CCPO Lahore said a better and comprehensive strategy has been hammered out to avert any such incident in future, adding the Lahore carnage occurred owing to lack of better security arrangements.

Charter of democracy has no legal status: Justice Javed

ISLAMABAD: The 17-member bench of Supreme Court heard the petitions challenging various clauses of the 18th Constitutional Amendment on Monday.

Judges in their remarks said Charter of Democracy (CoD) has no legal status whereas there is no such clause in constitution scheme, which separates judiciary from legislature.

A 17-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard 23 cases related to 18th Amendment.

Supreme Court Bar lawyer Hamid Khan in his arguments stated that the concept of judicial commission and parliamentary committee for the appointment of judges has been taken from CoD.

Justice Javed Iqbal in his remarks said only two political parties had signed the CoD and it has no legal status.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said a resolution to constitute judicial commission for the appointment of judges was approved by Pakistan Bar Council. In reply, Hamid Khan said law minister and attorney general were not part of the commission approved in the resolution.

Justice Shakirullah Jan said constitution scheme talked about separation of judiciary from administration but not from legislature.

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