Barrister Gohar, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said on Monday that no agreement was to blame for the judgment in the 190 million pound case being delayed.

When Gohar and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja spoke to the media outside Adiala Jail, Gohar stated that former premier and jailed PTI founder Imran Khan was only a trustee of Qadir University and not its owner.

He added that the Al-Qadir case was politically driven and that they had suffered injustice.

Bushra Bibi’s name was added to the Qadir case in order to put pressure on the PTI founder, he said.

They had come to court today to hear the ruling, he underlined, and the PTI founder was not worried about the cases.
He went on to say, “The jail administration was responsible for bringing the PTI founder from jail to court.”

The PTI chairman added that they had arrived in accordance with the 11 AM deadline that they had been set for the decision. They intend to consult the higher courts because they have high hopes for the judiciary. According to him, this matter will be settled, just as previous ones were.

Salman Akram Raja said during the conversation that the third round of negotiations was scheduled for January 15 and that the process was still in progress.

He clarified that they were not making any deals and are negotiating for democracy and justice in the country.

He further stated that the negotiations and this case were not related to each other, adding that there was an impression being created that a deal was being broken, but they are not making any deals.

Crimes under the Army Act solely apply to military people, said Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel on Monday.

His statement was made before the Supreme Court’s intra-court appeal hearing against the trial of civilians in military courts.

A seven-member constitutional panel, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, is considering the matter. Jamal Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Musarat Hilali, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Shahid Bilal Hassan are among the justices on the bench.

Justice Khan instructed Khawaja Haris, the Ministry of Defense’s attorney, to wrap up the arguments by tomorrow.

Advocate Haris contended that the Supreme Court had ruled that Section 59 of the Army Act (4) was unconstitutional. In response, Justice Mandokhel noted that the Army Act lists numerous crimes and that all crimes will be applicable to military members under the Act.

According to the attorney, the Army Act will be analyzed in light of Official Secrets Act sections 2D(1) and 2D(2), and Section 31D of the Army Act governs civilian trials.

Section 31D dealt with persuading soldiers to abstain from their duty, according to Justice Mandokhel. “It is unclear whose case will be heard by military courts.”

“The Constitution also validates many tribunals,” said Justice Hilali. “The important thing is to decide which cases should be heard where and how.”

Justice Mandokhel asked him if a court martial will be used to try civilians in military courts. “Trial by military courts is court martial,” advocate Haris retorted.

Justice Hilali asked him if the Army Act had any penalties for violating the Constitution if an army officer did so.

Khawaja Haris retorted that the crime is punishable under Article 6. All laws are subordinate to Article 6. Oath violations are likewise punishable under the Army Act.

According to Justice Mandokhel, the judiciary has already upheld martial law; the question now is whether Article 6 applies to those justices.

The judges’ names were first mentioned in the Pervez Musharraf case, but they were later removed from the treason trial, according to Justice Mazhar.

Justice Rizvi asked if changes made to certain parts of the Army Act in August 2023 might be applied retroactively to the May 2023 occurrences. He inquired about the possibility of using the modified Army Act to try the defendants in the May 9 occurrences.

Advocate Haris retorted that hearings were held and that the accused had selected counsel. It had previously been stated that the court had reserved decisions in certain matters and proclaimed judgment in others, Justice Rizvi said.

Justice Mazhar stated that he was curious about the classification of the witnesses. “A joint trial should not have taken place,” he noted. Written provisions indeed exist; however, it is unclear if they have been put into practice.

Since the start of the hearing, Justice Mandokhel noted, he had been worried about whether or not the average person is subject to army discipline.

Afterwards, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing until Tuesday.

Google Pay is set to formally arrive in Pakistan by mid-March 2025, bringing its popular contactless payment system to the local market.

This advancement signifies a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s expanding digital payments ecosystem.

Sources acquainted with the situation indicated that the technology conglomerate’s entry into the Pakistani market was verified in November 2024, with Visa and Mastercard enabling the implementation.

The service will allow customers to connect their bank-issued debit and credit cards to Google Pay through the Google Wallet app, which will also be accessible to users in Pakistan.

The primary emphasis will be on facilitating contactless payments, but the full suite of Google Wallet functionalities, including loyalty cards and public transit passes, will not be incorporated in the initial phase.

Industry insiders disclosed that preparations are underway, with four to six prominent banks partnering with Visa and Mastercard to fulfill technical specifications and guarantee service compatibility. These initiatives seek to establish Pakistan as a pivotal market for Google’s digital payment solutions.

Pakistan’s payment infrastructure is well prepared to facilitate the launch. The State Bank of Pakistan reports that the nation has 133,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, with 99 percent equipped to take mobile contactless payments.

Experts assert that the introduction of Google Pay will enhance the adoption rates of digital payments in Pakistan, which have shown substantial growth in recent years. A top financial official involved in the project stated, “This development corresponds with the growing trend of cashless transactions in Pakistan.”

Essential Information Regarding Google Wallet

Google Wallet, formerly referred to as Google Pay, is a digital wallet and payment system enabling users to store and manage various documents, payment methods, and essential credentials on their Android devices.

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The platform enables contactless payments at compatible Point of Sale (POS) terminals, enhancing transaction speed and security. Furthermore, users can consolidate loyalty cards, boarding permits, tickets, and other digital passes, establishing a consolidated repository for all digital credentials.

The application prioritizes security by employing encryption and device security measures to guarantee secure transactions and safeguard personal data. This renders it a dependable choice for anyone seeking to transition from physical cards to the comfort of mobile payments.

Prospective advantages for Pakistan

The introduction of Google Wallet in Pakistan presents significant potential for a nation where the uptake of digital payments has lagged compared to other areas. The application will provide several significant advantages:

Secure and convenient transactions: Google Wallet eliminates the necessity for users to carry actual cards. They can execute secure, contactless payments instantly from their cellphones. The application guarantees encryption and safeguarding via the device’s inherent security functionalities, rendering it a more secure option compared to conventional payment methods.

Financial Inclusion: A significant benefit of Google Wallet in Pakistan is its capacity to enhance financial inclusion. A considerable segment of the population is unbanked, possessing restricted access to official financial institutions. By facilitating digital payments, Google Wallet will provide a conduit for these individuals to participate in the financial ecosystem, thereby addressing the digital divide.

Google Wallet officially returns to supplant Google Pay in most regions | Android Central

Facilitated Travel and Event Participation: For regular travelers and attendees, Google Wallet aims to streamline the organization and maintenance of boarding passes and event tickets. Users can scan their digital passes immediately from their smartphones, thereby removing the necessity for physical documents and mitigating the danger of losing essential travel or event information.

The wallet’s capacity to hold loyalty cards and reward programs will advantage users who often use establishments that provide discounts and special offers. This feature can enhance customer interaction, promote brand loyalty, and strengthen business-to-consumer relationships.

The PayPal conundrum

The introduction of Google Wallet highlights Pakistan’s persistent difficulties with international digital payment systems. Despite persistent speculation over PayPal’s possible market entry, regulatory obstacles have hindered the service’s rollout in Pakistan.

Notwithstanding earlier indications of possible collaborations with firms such as PayPal, PayPal has failed to establish a direct presence in the country owing to apprehensions regarding money laundering and several legal challenges.

The forthcoming introduction of Google Wallet in Pakistan presents a promising prospect for individuals seeking dependable and secure international payment options. The absence of PayPal is a significant barrier for numerous Pakistani consumers participating in international e-commerce; nevertheless, the introduction of Google Wallet may serve as a viable alternative for digital payments, offering a secure and efficient solution for routine transactions.