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PTI leader Shahbaz Gill secures bail in sedition case

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  • IHC CJ Athar Minallah directs authorities to release Gill on bail.
  • Orders Gill to submit Rs500,000 as surety against his bail.
  • Says “no one should be deprived of bail until there is no solid evidence against them.”

Senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill has finally been granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after repeatedly attempting to get released on bail in the sedition case filed against him.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff Gill has been in detention since last month when he was arrested after a treason case was filed against him for inciting mutiny within the Pakistan Army through his remarks during a private TV channel show.

The case against Gill is registered under Sections 124-A (sedition), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), and of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Gill had approached the IHC last Friday after his failure to get bail from a trial court despite continuous efforts.

The politician nominated Kohsar Police Station SHO, City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza and others as parties in the plea, stating that he was arrested by Kohsar police on August 9.

Today’s hearing

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah directed the authorities to release Gill on bail after hearing arguments from all of the parties in the case. The court directed Gill to submit Rs500,000 as surety against his bail.

“No one should be deprived of the [right to be released] on bail until there is no solid evidence against them. There wouldn’t be any remedy if the same person turns out to be innocent later,” the court remarked, adding that an investigation must go on but with strong evidence brought to the fore.

Earlier during the hearing, IHC CJ Minallah remarked that the armed forces of Pakistan are not “weak that they would get affected” by irresponsible remarks made by someone.

He, however, made it clear that “Gill’s irresponsible, inappropriate and derogatory remarks cannot be justified in any case.”

Meanwhile, Gill’s lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar reiterated that the case against Gill is based on ill intentions and political victimisation.

He claimed that Gill didn’t address the armed forces in his remark but it was targeted towards the PML-N.

Allegations of torture, sexual abuse

The PTI had been insistent in demanding the party leader’s bail, alleging that he is facing humiliation, torture and sexual abuse in police custody.

Multiple proceedings on pleas seeking and challenging Gill’s physical remand for interrogations have been held with the defence contending that the politician wasn’t physically or mentally fit to undergo physical remand.

Meanwhile, United Kingdom-based international non-governmental organisation for human rights Amnesty International had also expressed concern about the alleged torture being inflicted on Gill during detention.

In a tweet, Amnesty International had called for an immediate and impartial probe into the allegations of torture.

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The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

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The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

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The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

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Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

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Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

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Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.

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