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LHC orders Imran Khan to join probe in all cases by May 5

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  • Court seeks Punjab govt’s report after completing probe by May 8. 
  • Imran Khan agrees to follow LHC directive.
  • Says he is not running from cases but “should have less exposure”.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to join the investigations in all the cases registered against him by Friday.

“Join the investigations by 2pm on Friday,” a three-member bench of the high court ordered the PTI chief while hearing his petition against the registration of 121 cases against him.

A three-member bench of the high court comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh and Justice Aalia Neelum heard the plea.

Khan had filed the plea seeking dismissal of 121 cases registered against him, last month. However, the plea was later amended and now it only challenged the registration of these cases. The plea nominates the federation of Pakistan, the province of Punjab, Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar, and other provincial and federal authorities, as parties. 

Moreover, the court also directed the Punjab government to submit a report after completing the investigations by May 8. 

The lawyer contended that there was no case against Imran Khan during his 71 years of life.

At this, the court asked why were the cases being filed after the change of government. “They [the petitioner] is claiming that the cases were being registered to keep [him] away from the elections.”

Responding to the court’s query, the lawyer representing the Punjab government said that the PTI chief was seeking additional relief as a former premier.

Justice Baqir then inquired about the cases against Imran Khan and their status.

At this, the Punjab government council argued that Khan didn’t join the investigations in any case.

To this, Justice Neelum sought a guarantee from Khan’s lawyer that he would join the probe. She said that the court was giving the petitioner time to join the probe in all the cases.

However, Justice Sheikh remarked that an appearance before the investigation officer (IO) was a must.

Khan’s lawyer assured that they would join the investigation in all cases while requesting the court to allow appearance via video link.

“We are ready to work under the laws and Code of Criminal Procedure,” Barrister Safdar added.

At this point, PTI chief Imran Khan requested the court to allow him to speak for a few minutes.

“I am not running away from the cases but I should have less exposure,” he said, contending that he was facing threats to his life.

“Trust the court,” Justice Baqir said.

Khan agreed to follow the court’s directive in this regard after which the case was adjourned till Monday.

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The President has signed the 26th constitutional amendment, and a notification has been issued.

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On Monday, the 26th amendment was ratified by President Asif Ali Zardari, bringing the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan up to date.

Following days of negotiations between the opposition and the Treasury, the amendment was finally approved by the National Assembly and the Senate on Sunday night.

The prime minister signed the recommendation to be forwarded to the president of Pakistan for confirmation following the amendment’s approval by both chambers of the legislature.

Following its implementation, the amendment’s notification was also released.

Recall that a legislative committee will select Pakistan’s top justice following the amendment’s implementation.

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Unexpected development: JUI-F displays ‘forward bloc’ surfaces

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A “forward bloc” made up of four to five members of the National Assembly appears to be an unexpected indication of disunity within Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), according to sources who spoke with Dunya News.

The 26th constitutional amendment package is reportedly the subject of four to five JUI-F lawmakers who have formed a “forward bloc.”

Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) central head Aslam Ghori, however, has reportedly disputed the existence of any advance faction inside the party.

Each of their eight MNAs and five senators are in communication, he continued, adding. The leadership of JUI-F is in contact with all of them. Still, no one was reaching out to our lone senator, Abdul Shakoor.

The head of JUI-F has previously claimed that his MNAs were being intimidated and harassed in interviews with the press.

Speaking on the kidnapping of one of his party members and the intimidation of another, he bemoaned the harassment of JUI-F and BNP members.

The administration is intimidating our Members of Parliament while simultaneously having discussions on a package of constitutional amendments.

Fazl declared, “We will be forced to give consultation process on the issue if the government continues with such tactics.”

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Constitutional amendment proposed: NA session is postponed until 6 p.m.

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As stated by the assembly secretariat, today’s (Friday) National Assembly (NA) session has been postponed until 6 p.m.

The meeting, which Speaker Ayaz Sadiq was to lead at 11 a.m., has been postponed, according to the National Assembly Secretariat.

Under Rule 49, the National Assembly speaker’s time was modified, as announced by the secretariat.

An eight-point agenda itemised by the secretariat has also been made public. Nonetheless, the 26th constitutional amendment bill’s introduction is not on the agenda.

You might remember that since last month, the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government has been working to get the constitutional amendment approved.

In the absence of agreement on the 26th amendment to the Constitution, the administration was unable to secure the necessary two-thirds majority, leading to the National Assembly’s indefinite adjournment on September 16.

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