Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Chairman National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Wa Khatam an-Nabiyyin Authority Khursheed Ahmed Nadeem on Thursday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed matters related to the mutual interests.

During the meeting, Khursheed Ahmed Nadeem also presented the annual report of the National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Wa Khatam an-Nabiyyin Authority to the prime minister.

Islamabad: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), in collaboration with Atlas Honda, organized a special road safety camp for motorcyclists to promote safe riding practices and encourage compliance with traffic laws in the federal capital.

An ITP official told reporter on Thursday that Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Kainat Azhar Khan visited the camp and distributed free helmets and side mirrors among motorcyclists, while riders were also provided with the facility to replace defective motorcycle lights and side mirrors free of cost.

Speaking on the occasion, CTO Kainat stressed the importance of wearing helmets, maintaining motorcycles in roadworthy condition and strictly observing traffic rules to ensure safer roads for all road users.

She said the Islamabad Traffic Police would continue practical road safety campaigns in collaboration with public and private sector partners to create greater awareness among citizens and reduce road traffic accidents.

The CTO Kainat urged motorcyclists to adopt all necessary safety measures before travelling, emphasizing that the use of helmets and properly functioning motorcycles were the basic requirements for a safe journey.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with President Awami National Party (ANP), Senator Aimal Wali Khan here at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed political matters and the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a PM Office news release said.

Islamabad: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Thursday released 260,900 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 296,400 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in the River Indus at Tarbela Dam stood at 1504.31 feet, which was 102.31 feet higher than the dead level of 1402.00 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded as 188,100 cusecs and 160,300 cusecs, respectively.

The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1173.20 feet, which was 123.20 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water were recorded as 24,700 cusecs and 17,000 cusecs, respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 206,600, 179,800, 131,300, and 66,300 cusecs, respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 33,300 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera, and 21,100 cusecs were released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that the protection of the rights of minors is a fundamental duty of the judiciary, declaring that no decision or settlement in any case involving a minor party will be legally valid without the appointment of an impartial guardian and thorough judicial scrutiny.

In a landmark judgment regarding the protection of the rights of minors, the Court established that in every legal proceeding where a minor is a party, the appointment of a guardian ad litem (an impartial guardian for the litigation) is mandatory.

Furthermore, all settlements reached in cases involving minors, the elderly, or purdah-nashin (secluded) women must be subject to rigorous judicial oversight.

The Court’s ruling directs that at the initiation of any civil or revenue case, the presiding judge must first determine whether any of the parties involved are minors. If a minor is identified, the case cannot be adjudicated until the protection of their legal rights is fully guaranteed.

The judgment emphasizes that the appointed guardian must have no personal interest in the outcome of the case, ensuring that the minor’s interests remain the primary focus.

Additionally, the Court cautioned against unnecessary haste in property disputes involving minors, insisting that the “best interests of the child” must be prioritized at every stage of the proceedings.

To ensure strict compliance, the Federal Constitutional Court has ordered that copies of this judgment be circulated to all civil and revenue courts across the country.

In the specific case at hand, the Court set aside a previous verdict by the Lahore High Court and directed the trial court to resume proceedings in accordance with the law.

The petitioner had challenged a civil court decision, arguing that the court had failed to adequately protect the rights of minor children when formalizing a settlement. The Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling establishes a definitive legal precedent to prevent such lapses in the future.

Islamabad: The Federal Constitutional Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed against the employment of an MA-qualified individual as a sweeper in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), upholding the decision of the Peshawar High Court.

The bench further remarked that the provincial government should provide the petitioner with a more suitable position.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Rizvi expressed astonishment, asking, “Is an MA graduate now expected to work as a sweeper?”

He further noted that it would be inappropriate to terminate the individual’s employment after ten years of service, suggesting instead that the provincial government reassign him to a more appropriate role.

When the Additional Advocate General informed the court that there were currently no vacancies for sweepers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice Rizvi retorted, “Is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so clean that there is no need for a sweeper?” He added sarcastically that he had heard such claims about other provinces.

Expressing severe displeasure over the situation, the court remarked that the system deserved “commendation” for making an MA graduate perform the duties of a sweeper, calling the entire situation a “tragedy.”

The District Education Officer, who appeared before the court, confirmed that the employee’s duties included sweeping and cleaning. Upon hearing this, Justice Rizvi remarked, “Does no one feel ashamed that he is made to sweep?”

Consequently, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the provincial government’s appeal and directed them to facilitate the employee with an alternative position commensurate with his qualifications.