17th October 2023 News Headlines
A summary of today's important and breaking news regarding PTI and the country that the mainstream media of Pakistan will never show you.
- Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been illegally imprisoned for 72 days now, during which time all of his human rights have been revoked. Even during today's hearing of the cipher case in jail, Imran Khan was brought into a cage-like room, where he could not engage in proper discussions with his lawyers or anyone else. Imran Khan's legal team informed the special court judge, Zulqarnain Abul Hasnat, that the charge could not be filed without a copy of the challan. As a result, the judge set a new date for filing the charge on October 23. The lawyers also expressed their protest, asserting that confining Imran Khan in such a cage-like room is a violation of basic human rights.
- In the Lahore High Court, the case involving the dismissal of bail applications in seven cases against Imran Khan was heard. Several petitions were filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the rejection of bail in these seven cases. The Court scheduled the main hearings for Imran Khan's petitions on October 25. There was a request to obtain the records to determine whether Imran Khan had been arrested in these cases or not. However, the Court rejected the lawyer's request, stating that it would consider it when the petitioner's lawyer appeared in court.
- Justice Aamer Farooq's delay tactics continue, with the cause list of Imran Khan's cases being canceled today. In a tweet, Chairman Imran Khan's lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, mentioned, "The request of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to dismiss the Nikah case during iddat and to stop Imran Khan from being arrested in other cases, the cause list at the Islamabad High Court has been canceled.”
- Imran Khan has been granted permission to walk outside his cell in Adiala Jail, but he is still not allowed to receive safe food. The walking space outside his cell has been extended to 60 feet. Imran Khan requested a bicycle for exercise and home-cooked meals, to which Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain responded that the responsibility of providing food lies with the jail authorities. However, the judge ordered the Jail Superintendent to provide a bicycle to Imran Khan in accordance with the manual. It's noteworthy that, as a former Prime Minister, Imran Khan is still deprived of the facilities associated with a B-class jail.
- Farrukh Habib's old tweets and statements after May 9 serve as a response to his scripted press conference. Farrukh Habib had been missing since September 27, and he was suddenly found in the office of the Istehkam Pakistan Party yesterday, where he made filthy remarks against Imran Khan. However, all of Farrukh Habib's statements and tweets after May 9 are a rebuttal to his recent press conference, in which he repeatedly emphasized that Imran Khan had no involvement in planning the events of May 9 and had not called for violent protests. It's unclear whether Farrukh Habib's press conference was under duress or for some other reason, but many people do not attach much importance to such press conferences and interviews, viewing them as equivalent to a basket full of garbage.
- Ejaz Chaudhry, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senator, has been in jail for 160 days and is currently suffering from the dengue virus. Despite his serious health condition and being a heart and diabetes patient, he has been illegally imprisoned. Shockingly, not only has he been detained despite his severe illness, but he was also forcibly brought to court from the prison yesterday and further remanded. This situation raises significant concerns about his health and the treatment he is receiving while in custody.
- The hearing for the Jinnah House burning case took place in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore. After the completion of their judicial remand, the police presented Khadija Shah and other accused before the court. The court has decided to extend the judicial remand of Khadija Shah, Alia Hamza, and others until October 31.
- Courts have been consistently denying relief to political prisoners affiliated with Tehreek-e-Insaf. In a recent development, the anti-terrorism court in Lahore canceled the bail of Dr. Yasmeen Rashid in the Shadman police station case. Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Arshad Javed made the decision to deny bail, and as a result, Yasmeen Rashid is once again on physical remand in the Thana Shadman case. Additionally, while refusing to grant immediate relief to Sanam Javed, the judge requested the details of their cases to be presented on October 19. This highlights the challenges faced by political prisoners associated with Tehreek-e-Insaf in securing legal relief from the courts.
- A distressing incident occurred where a ninth-grade student was reportedly subjected to police torture in collaboration with a leader from Nawaz League, all because the student had taken down Nawaz Sharif's banners in Dera Ghazi Khan. What should have been a simple act became a crime for the student. Initially, Aleem Shah, a former MPA of PML-N, allegedly subjected the child to physical abuse at his camp office. When he became fatigued, Shah reportedly called the police, and the child was handed over to them. As a result, the child is now behind bars, and the father is desperately seeking justice for his son. This situation raises concerns about the use of force and legal processes involving a minor.
- The prolonged court proceedings for detained leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have become a concerning issue. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf strongly condemns the lengthy legal processes involving leaders such as Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Mahmood-ul-Rashid, Umar Sarfaraz Cheema, Alia Hamza, and others who are currently in detention. Many of these detained leaders from Tehreek-e-Insaf have not been promptly presented in court, and their cases have not progressed beyond formal appearances. The spokesperson of Tehreek-e-Insaf emphasizes the need to recognize the constitutional rights of all the detained leaders and to ensure transparent and timely proceedings for their cases. It is urged that these individuals be freed from the state's perceived brutality, allowing them to exercise their rights and defend their cases through due process.
- The supporters of PML-N are resorting to various incentives to encourage the public to welcome the convicted criminal Nawaz Sharif. At a recent event, a former PML-N MNA stated, "I give a certificate that whoever goes to Lahore to welcome Nawaz Sharif will go straight to heaven." Prior to this, PML-N had offered incentives such as motorbikes and food, but the public appears to be consistently declining these offers. This highlights the strong political divisions and sentiments surrounding Nawaz Sharif and his reception by the public.
- The benefit of the reduction in the prices of petroleum products has not yet reached the people. Citizens say that petrol price has reduced but the food items are still expensive. Why is the price of flour, sugar, and ghee not being reduced? Is the reduction in petrol prices just to create a narrative?
- PML-N stands accused of incurring substantial financial losses through the installation of expensive electricity projects for alleged commission gains. In a tweet, senior journalist Adnan Adil highlighted the significant funds paid to private power plants (IPPs) as capacity payments in dollars, despite the electricity not being utilized. He suggested that with these funds, at least 10 large dams could have been constructed, resulting in cheaper electricity and reduced foreign exchange spending on fuel.