Politics

SC issues notice to Centre in Shahbaz Gill’s torture plea

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Justice Ijazul Ahsan tells PTI to approach relevant forum against torture allegations.
Rebukes Gill’s lawyer for being unaware of procedure and purpose of physical remand.
Orders IO to present case record while adjourning hearing till indefinite period.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Friday issued a notice to the federal government in a case pertaining to the physical remand of senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case and allegation of torture.

The PTI had levelled allegations of torture and sexual abuse meted out to Gill during his physical remand at Adiala jail, Rawalpindi. The party claimed that Gill was tortured and abused during custody, demanding that the matter be probed.

Gill was in police custody since his arrest in the sedition case on August 9 for allegedly inciting mutiny within the military’s ranks. However, he was granted bail just yesterday (Thursday) by the Islamabad High Court following his multiple attempts to get released on bail.

Today’s hearing

At the outset of the hearing of PTI’s plea by a three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Gill’s lawyer Salman Safdar contended that the court trying his client exceeded its authority.

“There is no example of torture meted out to Shahbaz Gill,” he said.

Justice Mazahir Akbar Naqvi inquired what the basis was of the case against Gill and what did he say.

Responding to the query, Safdar said that Gill made a speech for which he was charged under 13 sections.

At this, Justice Naqvi corrected him by saying that it wasn’t a speech but Gill made remarks during an interview on a private TV channel. He also rebuked the lawyer for being unaware of the procedure and purpose of a physical remand.

‘Relevant forum should be approached for torture allegations’

The justice inquired if PTI has approached a relevant forum against the alleged torture on Gill.

“You have to approach the relevant forum. What has restrained you from doing that?” the justice asked.

“Shahbaz Gill’s remand into police custody was the most controversial remand in the country’s history,” Safdar maintained, adding that a judge even stated in the order that torture marks were found on Gill’s body.

At this, Justice Naqvi asked if the judge would appear before the court as a witness.

“Does the criminal code apply to the Supreme Court?” Justice Naqvi asked. At this, Gill’s lawyer responded in the positive.

“Masha’Allah lawyer sahib, the Criminal Code doesn’t apply to the apex court,” Justice Naqvi said sarcastically.

Later, the court directed the investigation officer to appear in the court with a case record and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

Latest News

The PML-N Punjab chapter convenes today to discuss organizational issues.

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

Former prime minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, has called a meeting of the PML-N Punjab chapter for today (Friday).

The conference was called by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, who reportedly gave the president of the party’s Punjab chapter, Rana Sanaullah, a call to call a meeting of the party’s provincial officials.

Nawaz Sharif is now visiting China.

According to sources, Nawaz Sharif’s leadership role and organizational issues inside the PML-N Punjab would be discussed at the meeting. The meeting’s agenda may also include discussions about the possible growth of the federal and Punjabi cabinets.

According to other sources, Nawaz Sharif gave Rana Sanaullah instructions to gather information on political and organizational positions in Punjab as well as to revitalize the party at the local level.

Latest News

Saad Rafiq: Ali Amin Gandapur’s threat to storm Islamabad is a major issue.

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has threatened to storm Islamabad, according to Khawaja Saad Rafique, a former minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). This is a very serious situation.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration has reportedly launched attacks on the federal capital in the past in an attempt to seize Islamabad, according to Saad Rafiq on the social media platform X (previously Twitter).

“However, PTI got nothing and it resulted in creating chaos, hatred and economic destruction,” he continued.

He added, “If the anarchists attack Islamabad to occupy it this time too, it will become impossible for them to return as rulers.”

According to the leader of the PML-N, fascist behavior will no longer be accepted, and the dirty politics of violence, fire, and ransacking will no longer be effective.

The PTI, he said, has to act rationally and refrain from inciting another May 9.

Latest News

PTI founder’s temporary bail in the attack on Jinnah House case is increased

Published

11 hours ago

Farwa

Information connected to the attack on Jinnah House and three other cases were heard by ATC duty judge Arshad Javed.

A video link from Adiala jail will be used by the court to commemorate the presence of former prime minister Imran Khan in all three cases.

Notably, the Punjab government has assigned Imran Khan, the founder of the PTI, seven cells in Adiala Jail, and fourteen security guards have been assigned to guard him. This information was previously communicated to the LHC.

According to AGP Punjab Khalid Ishaq, “six additional cells have been provided for Imran Khan in order to ensure appropriate security for him.”

According to the article, “14 police officers have been assigned to guard Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, whereas one officer is assigned to care for ten prisoners.

happenings on May 9
With the arrest of Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and the former prime minister at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), violent protests erupted around the country.

With Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad calling in the armed forces to maintain peace and order, the party workers, incensed over their chairman’s imprisonment, staged rallies in both big cities and remote areas.

A demonstration by “PTI workers” resulted in attacks on Army posts including Jinnah House, the home of the Corps Commander in Lahore.