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Prohibited funding case: LHC bars FIA from ‘harassing’ Imran Khan

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  • Court orders FIA, other parties to submit responses in next hearing. 
  • Hearing adjourned till Dec 7. 
  • PTI challenged FIA’s summons, seeking a clean chit in case.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday restricted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from harassing PTI chief Imran Khan. 

The directive came during the hearing of the PTI chief’s plea against the FIA summons in the prohibited funding case opened against him. 

During the hearing, the court ordered the FIA and other parties to submit their responses at the next hearing. The court asked if some action could be taken against a political party following the instructions of the federal government. 

“Does this inquiry have any legal protection or not?” asked the court. 

In response to this, Khan’s lawyer said: “The inquiry of the prohibited funding case has no legal protection.” 

The FIA alleges that the PTI’s accounts were opened with the signatures of the party’s top leadership, the court maintained. 

“Do you accept these accounts?” questioned the court. 

“There are 13 accounts that the PTI doesn’t accept,” replied the lawyer. 

The hearing has been adjourned till December 7. 

PTI challenges FIA summons

On November 5, the PTI’s legal team challenged the FIA’s summons to the party chairman in the high court, seeking a clean chit in the case which it termed was part of the government’s political witch hunt.

Khan, in his petition, disputed the FIA’s notice for his appearance before the agency on November 7 and made the Ministry of Interior, DG FIA, Deputy Director FIA, and the investigation officer stakeholders. The petition said FIA sent the notice with the intent of political victimisation on October 31.

“The FIA’s inquiry regarding PTI Punjab’s bank account is based on bad faith. The probe was initiated to harass the former prime minister,” the petition said.

The inquiry was aimed at benefiting the political rivals, the petition alleged. “No one has ever objected to the PTI’s opening party bank accounts. And in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling there are no instructions for FIA to investigate [PTI’s] bank accounts,” the petition read.

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There will be no rally in Islamabad on May 9, as police warn of stern action.

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On Tuesday, police announced the federal government had implemented Section 144 in the Capital, which prohibited anyone from holding a gathering without permission.

The Capital police have warned that individuals who attempt to hold a gathering on May 9 will face severe consequences. Those who organize a protest procession without previous permission will face legal consequences. The Capital Police Department stated that such an attempt would not be permitted.

It should be noted that the PTI has organized a ‘peaceful’ demonstration in Islamabad on May 9, and has sought a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 incident.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media on Tuesday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with the party’s top leaders, including Shoaib Shaheen, stated that peaceful protest was a fundamental right of any political party. They also inquired about the location of CCTV footage from the May 9 occurrences.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for the establishment of a judicial committee to probe the events of May 9. Barrister Gohar reiterated the party’s position on the Public Accounts Committee chairman, noting that it was an internal matter that will be settled upon notification.

In response to the DG ISPR’s recent press conference, Barrister Gohar stated, “I will read the DG ISPR’s statement and then comment.”

Shoaib Shaheen emphasized claimed acts of state terrorism, such as the kidnapping of the PTI’s founder and cases like Zille Shah. He also expressed concern about CCTV camera breakdowns in critical situations.

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Hajj 2024: Pakistan’s inaugural flight, carrying 180 pilgrims, departs tomorrow

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The first Hajj flight will depart from Karachi International Airport on Thursday (tomorrow) with 180 pilgrims, Ministry of Religious Affairs officials announced on Tuesday.

According to the officials, the first flight would depart at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday. According to them, up to 180 pilgrims will fly from Karachi to Medina, while a second aircraft of 150 pilgrims would depart for the holy region at 2 a.m.

In a month-long pre-Hajj flying operation, more than 68,000 prospective pilgrims under the government’s regular Hajj scheme would be ferried to Saudi Arabia on 259 flights by multiple airlines.

Most planes would arrive in Jeddah between May 24 and June 9, with the post-Hajj flight service from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan beginning on June 20.

On the first day (Thursday), 11 aircraft carrying 2,160 pilgrims would leave Pakistani airports for Medina.

Three aircraft from Islamabad would transport up to 680 pilgrims to Medina, two flights from Karachi would carry 330 pilgrims, and three flights from Lahore would transport 670 pilgrims.

The first Hajj flights from Quetta and Sukkur are scheduled for May 11 and 27, respectively.

Pre-HAJJ Arrangements

Earlier, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony had finalized plans for the incoming pilgrims. As a result, the pilgrims were vaccinated on April 30 because travelers must obtain the mandated immunization 10 days before their Hajj flights begin.

Pilgrims must carry smartphones with them so that they can use applications for assistance throughout their Hajj journey.

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Pakistan’s lunar mission ‘ICUBE-Q’ reaches the moon orbit.

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Pakistan’s lunar mission (ICUBE-Q) entered orbit around the moon on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s historic lunar mission (ICUBE-Q) launched from Hainan, China, on Friday aboard China’s Chang’E6 spacecraft.

According to the IST, the satellite ICUBE-Q was planned and developed in partnership with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Pakistan’s national space agency SUPARCO.

The ICUBE-Q orbiter is equipped with two optical cameras to image the lunar surface. ICUBE-Q has now been integrated into the Chang’e6 mission after successfully qualifying and testing it.

Chang’e6 is the sixth lunar exploration mission launched by China.

The launch event was streamed live on the IST website and social media platforms. Chang’6, China’s Lunar Mission, will land on the Moon’s far side to collect surface samples before returning to Earth for further research.

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