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Audio leaks case: FIA, PTA, and PEMRA pleas seeking Justice Sattar’s recusal dismissed

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The Islamabad High Court fined each of the three government departments Rs. 500,000 on Monday after dismissing their arguments against a bench trial over audio leaks.

The court may also hold the heads of the aforementioned departments—the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)—culpable for contempt.

In the audio leak case, four government agencies—the PEMRA, PTA, FIA, and Intelligence Bureau—filed separate petitions with the IHC, pleading for Justice Babar Sattar’s recusal and asking for the case to be heard by the same bench that has previously decided a case of a similar nature.

The petitioners contended that in order to prevent a different ruling, Justice Babar Sattar should recuse himself from the case that was decided in 2021. The petitions of Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, and Najamul Saqib, the son of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, should also be brought before the same bench.

During the current hearing, Justice Sattar also issued a summons to IB Joint Director General Tariq Mehmood, directing him to come before the court for the case’s subsequent hearing.

Following the issue’s discovery in 2023, the judge has been considering the aforementioned petitions.

The government agencies contended in the petitions in the case before Justice Sattar that Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had already resolved an analogous issue in 2021. Thus, in order to prevent a conflicting ruling and for the sake of justice, they asked the judge to recuse herself from the case.

The departments are requesting that Justice Sattar recuse himself after six IHC judges—among them, himself—complained in writing to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) about intelligence agencies interfering with the court’s decision.

On March 25, the judges called for the calling of a judicial convention to address the issue of purported meddling by intelligence agents in the judicial activities or “intimidation” of judges in a way that jeopardised the judiciary’s independence.

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In the Toshakhana-2 case, IHC sends notices regarding Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s acquittal pleas.

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In response to the petitions for acquittal filed by Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan, the founders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the Toshakhana-II case, the Islamabad High Court on Thursday sent notifications to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other parties.

Hearing the applications was Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas of the IHC. The judge said that there is no legal precedent for halting criminal proceedings at this point when Salman Safdar, Imran Khan’s attorney, requested a stay order on the trial in the Toshakhana-2 case during the hearing.

The court would also hear the other party and send notices regarding the petition, Justice Minhas noted.

Since Justice Gul Hassan Aurangzeb had previously heard five petitions pertaining to this case, Safdar later also filed a motion to transfer the case to another bench, stating that it would be proper to send the acquittal petitions to him for additional hearing.

According to Justice Minhas, who dismissed his plea, the petitions considered by Justice Aurangzeb were bail requests. This was a different issue, he remarked, and he would consider the case. He gave the attorney instructions to argue the case’s merits.

The PTI lawyer later pleaded the high court to halt proceedings of the trial court. The judge replied that suspects had already been indicted, and witnesses were testifying.

He noted that it would not be appropriate to issue any such order at this stage, adding that he would issue notices and the case would not be adjourned for a long period.

The court then issued a notice to the FIA and adjourned the hearing until Jan 28.

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Kashmir Education: PM Convenes Daanish School in Bhimber, Denounces Indian Atrocities

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In a strong condemnation of the Indian Army’s ongoing brutality and oppression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris until their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by pertinent UN resolutions, is realised.

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Mohsin Naqvi Meets with Members of the United States Congress: Pakistan Hopes To Imprvoe Ties With Trump Administration: Naqvi

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Today in Washington, Federal Minister of the Interior Mohsin Naqvi met separately with members of Congress Rob Bresnahan and Joe Wilson.

He spent the meeting talking with them on issues of shared interest and bilateral collaboration in a variety of areas.

He also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and its long lasting impact on the region and the world.

He emphasized the need to enahnce mutual exchanges of trade and cultual delegations between the two countries and Pakistan is working to improve bilateral relations.

He said that the newly elected President Donald Trump speech is very encouraging in recent global situation, and he is a symbol of hope for the region.

The United States is one of Pakistan’s key strategic partners, according to Mohsin Naqvi. They also discussed about the problems face by the Pakistanis living abroad.

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