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‘Nawaz given relief due to NAB’s stance’

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ISLAMABAD:

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was given protective bail due to the National Accountability Bureau’s stance of not seeking his arrest, while his appeals against his conviction in the Avenfield Apartments and Al-Azizia references were revived thanks to the Punjab government’s decision to suspend his sentence.

In a 16-page written verdict issued by Chief Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, reviving appeals in the Avenfield Apartments and Al-Azizia references, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated that Nawaz Sharif’s appeals will be decided on their merits.

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It explained that the interim relief of not arresting the deposed prime minister was extended by two days, and his protective bail was granted due to NAB’s clear and unambiguous stance against his arrest.

“It ought to be borne in mind that these orders were passed after a clear, unequivocal and emphatic position was taken on behalf of NAB that such protection be afforded to the petitioner,” the order read.

It stated that the said orders dated October 19 and October 24 were passed with the consent of the deputy prosecutor general NAB and prosecutor general NAB, respectively.

The prosecutor general NAB was equally clear, unequivocal, and emphatic in his submission made on Oct 24 as well as Oct 26, that the accountability watchdog had no intention to arrest the petitioner, the ruling added.

The ruling also cited the Punjab government suspended Nawaz’s sentence in the Al-Azizia reference under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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The court also highlighted that Nawaz Sharif was not arrested upon his return home thanks to the interim relief from the court on October 19.

Earlier this month, the IHC had granted Nawaz Sharif protective bail until October 24 in both the Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases. This came after the former prime minister had spent time in jail after being convicted in the Avenfield properties corruption reference in July 2018.

Following his release in March 2019, Nawaz Sharif left for London in November 2019 on medical grounds. In December 2020, the IHC declared him a proclaimed offender in both cases. Recently, after nearly four years in London, Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan and was granted protective bail in both cases.

The IHC then extended this protective bail until October 26. Later, the IHC restored the PML-N leader’s appeals against his conviction in the Avenfield Apartments and Al-Azizia references.

On the same day, the Punjab government approved the suspension of his sentence in the Al-Azizia reference.

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It is pertinent to note that during the proceedings on October 26, when the chief justice asked whether NAB wanted Nawaz Sharif’s arrest, the NAB prosecutor-general replied that they did not want it at all and there was no court order to arrest him in any decision.



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Pakistan

Father of girl killed for ‘honour’ arrested in Kohistan

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Police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday arrested the father of the girl who was allegedly killed in the name of “honour” in Kohistan, officials said.

The suspect Arsala was presented before a local court which granted a seven-day physical remand. Three suspected accomplices, believed to have aided and advised the accused, have also been taken into custody.

On Sunday, a young girl was murdered and another rescued by the police in a case involving a viral video in which both the girls could be seen dancing with local boys.

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The girl was killed in the Barsharyal village of Kohistan’s Palas — 150km northwest of Mansehra — allegedly by her own family members on orders issued by a local jirga.

Read More: Husband held over honour killing of wife

The boys featured in the video, which went viral on social media around four days ago, had gone into hiding.

According to details, in the case registered under sections 114, 15AA, 302/311/109/34 PPC at Palas police station on November 28, 2023, the arrested suspect, Arsala, son of Mohsin, belonging to the Barsharyal tribe, was presented before the senior sessions judge/ Palas Assistant Commissioner.

Read More: CM orders inquiry into Kohistan girl’s killing

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The police had requested a 10-day physical remand for further investigation, but the judge approved a seven-day remand. The accused will be interrogated further in connection with the case.

Three other alleged accomplices in this gruesome murder have also been arrested. Among them, one is Arsala’s brother, one is his uncle’s son, and the third is a close relative. They have been apprehended on charges of abetment and will be presented before the court for physical remand.

Meanwhile, the boy, identified as Rahmat Shah, who featured in the viral images, has been rescued safely by the local police from Barsharyal.

The police had recorded his statement, and he will be presented in court for further legal proceedings.

Police teams are actively present in Barsharyal, conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

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PM Kakar arrives in Kuwait on two-day official visit

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KUWAIT:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the brotherly country’s leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister, PM Office said in a press release.

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Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

Read more: Investment worth $10b on the cards

During his visit, the premier will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

During the visit, a new era of economic and economic cooperation between the two countries will begin. 

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A number of MoUs will be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defence, it was further added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival.

Earlier this month, the interim federal cabinet gave the nod to seven memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Kuwait for an investment worth $10 billion.

The MoUs would be signed by PM Kakar during the visit.

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The MoUs will be inked for projects in various fields, including expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, protection and expansion of mangrove forests for coastal areas, investment in IT sector and food security.

The MoUs between the two countries became possible due to the efforts made by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the PM Office earlier.

It added that the interim premier, who chaired the meeting in the federal capital, and his cabinet members appreciated the efforts of the SIFC and the relevant ministries.

The caretaker prime minister issued directions to the federal authorities concerned to ensure cooperation with the provinces for early and fair execution of the projects.

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Govt will support ECP in holding ‘fair polls’

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ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi Tuesday said under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would fulfill its responsibility to conduct fair, transparent and impartial elections and the government would support it.

Talking to media in the federal capital, the interim minister noted that the Constitution comprised 280 articles, adding that it not only had the article pertaining to holding of elections in 90 days but also had Article 254.

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Read also: Caretaker govt has no agenda: Solangi

“Everyone in Pakistan has freedom to express opinion, complain and criticize,” he said.

The minister maintained that the PML-N also had the same liberty as of the PPP and the other parties.

He said Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had apprised the people about his visit to the UAE on Monday night through a video message.



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