Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah on Friday said the government, under the vision of Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, was implementing comprehensive social protection programmes to ensure quality healthcare, education and sustainable livelihood opportunities for deserving citizens across the country.

The minister made these remarks during his visit to the headquarters of the Zakat Foundation of America in Chicago, where he was accompanied by Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago Zaman Mehdi, said a news release issued here.

Highlighting the performance of his ministry, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said institutions working under the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety were implementing targeted initiatives for poverty reduction, financial inclusion, skills development, healthcare, education and social welfare to improve the lives of vulnerable families.

Upon arrival, the minister was warmly received by Zakat Foundation of America Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Demir, Advisor Planning and Development, Farukh Raza and members of the Foundation’s team.

During the visit, Khalil Demir gave a detailed presentation on the Foundation’s global humanitarian work, informing the minister that the organization was operating in more than 40 countries. He said its programmes included orphan care, disaster relief, education for out-of-school children, provision of clean drinking water, skills development, rehabilitation services, mental health support and a broad range of humanitarian initiatives.

The federal minister thanked the Zakat Foundation of America for inviting him to participate in the Turkish Cultural Festival and lauded the organization’s humanitarian services around the world. He particularly appreciated the Foundation’s welfare initiatives in Pakistan and acknowledged its contribution to supporting vulnerable communities.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in poverty alleviation, human development and social welfare in Pakistan. At the conclusion of the visit, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah invited the leadership of the Zakat Foundation of America to visit Pakistan. Prominent members of the Pakistani diaspora in Chicago also attended the event.

Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC), constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday held its eighth consecutive session to assess the nationwide monsoon situation, review ongoing rescue and relief operations, and strengthen preparedness measures as fresh rainfall is forecast across northern and central Pakistan.

The meeting, held at the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) at NDMA headquarters, was chaired via video link by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo attended the session at NEOC, while Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Punjab Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique, provincial chief secretaries, NDMA chairman, senior federal officials, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and other response agencies’ officials joined physically and virtually.

NDMA officials briefed the committee on the latest monsoon situation, including human and infrastructure losses, ongoing rescue and relief efforts, and rehabilitation work in affected areas.

The committee was informed that rainfall was expected in northern and central parts of the country, while isolated to scattered showers were also likely in southeastern Sindh, raising concerns over further weather-related emergencies.

The National Emergencies Operations Centre also presented an updated hydrological outlook and highlighted potential hazards associated with the continuing monsoon spell.

Participants were briefed on relief operations being carried out in coordination with national and international humanitarian partners to support communities affected by heavy rains and flooding.

The committee was further informed that population growth, changing agricultural patterns, climate variability and rising temperatures were placing increasing pressure on Pakistan’s water resources, underscoring the need for improved water management and climate resilience.

Reviewing response measures undertaken by federal ministries, provincial governments and district administrations, the committee acknowledged the efforts of emergency responders in protecting communities, restoring essential services and delivering relief assistance.

Emphasising the need for continued vigilance, the committee reiterated the importance of close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure a swift response to any emerging situation.

Ahsan Iqbal directed all concerned departments to maintain the current operational tempo, strengthen coordination mechanisms, continue proactive preparedness measures and accelerate relief and rehabilitation activities in rain-affected areas.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that a conviction in a criminal case cannot be sustained on the basis of speculation, assumptions or incomplete evidence, holding that an offence of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) can only be established if the prosecution proves that the disputed money or property had been entrusted to the accused or was under his lawful control.

On these legal grounds, the apex court accepted the review petition of Dr. Waqar Hameed and set aside his conviction.

Justice Shakeel Ahmad authored the judgment on Criminal Review Petition No. 122 of 2019 on behalf of a three-member bench comprising Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.

The court held that the prosecution had completely failed to prove that the disputed government funds had ever been entrusted to Dr. Waqar Hameed or had come under his lawful possession. It observed that “entrustment” is an essential and indispensable ingredient of an offence under Section 409 PPC, and in its absence the offence of criminal breach of trust cannot legally be made out.

The judgment further noted that a co-accused in the same case had already been acquitted by the Lahore High Court on the basis of the same evidence. It held that where the prosecution case against co-accused persons rests on identical evidence, and there is no independent and reliable evidence against the remaining accused, the principles of justice, equality and consistency require a fresh judicial assessment.

The Supreme Court also observed that the prosecution relied upon a challan bearing disputed signatures, but no forensic examination of those signatures was ever conducted. The investigating officer himself admitted that he had merely “assumed” that the accused had deposited the amount. The court held that criminal convictions must be based on solid, reliable and conclusive evidence rather than conjecture, assumptions or guesswork.

The judgment further stated that the prosecution failed to establish who had withdrawn the money from the government treasury, in whose name the treasury token had been issued, who had submitted the documents to the treasury, and who had ultimately received the payment. According to the court, the prosecution’s failure to prove these fundamental facts fatally weakened its case, entitling the accused to the benefit of doubt.

The court also held that, during the recording of the accused’s statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Dr. Waqar Hameed was not confronted with the crucial evidence and documents relied upon against him, thereby depriving him of a meaningful opportunity to present his defence. Such a course of action, the court observed, was inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial.

The Supreme Court further held that Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 creates a separate and independent offence, each of whose legal ingredients must be proved independently. However, the trial court as well as the High Court had failed to examine this aspect in accordance with the law.

The court observed that although the scope of review jurisdiction is limited, it may be exercised where there has been a manifest error in the application of law, disregard of material evidence, or a serious miscarriage of justice. On these grounds, the Supreme Court allowed Dr. Waqar Hameed’s review petition, set aside his conviction and held that maintaining the conviction on such evidence would be contrary to the requirements of law and justice.