Category: Islamabad

Posted on

FIA launches crackdown on human traffickers in Libyan boat accident case


Islamabad:: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) made significant progress in its ongoing crackdown against the human trafficking agents involved in the Libyan boat accident.



Acting on the Prime Minister’s directives, authorities intensified efforts to curb human trafficking networks linked to the Libyan boat tragedy.



The FIA confirmed the arrest of 144 individuals, including 16 lawyers, during its operations. Among those apprehended was one of the Red Book’s most wanted human traffickers. In total, 197 cases were registered in connection with the incident, while the passports of 55 accused individuals were blacklisted.



Meanwhile the efforts extended to international agents as well. The red notices were issued through Interpol for 20 foreign-based traffickers. FIA said the arrests of these agents were initiated with the assistance of global law enforcement agencies. The FIA also began blocking identity cards and bank accounts linked to individuals facilitating the human trafficking network.



The agency’s Director General, Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir, directed airport officers across the country to remain vigilant and prevent suspects from fleeing abroad. He instructed airport in-charges to ensure strict surveillance measures were in place.



Speaking to reporter, the FIA spokesperson confirmed that the process of blacklisting passports of facilitators was underway. Authorities pledged to use all available resources to apprehend those responsible for the tragedy.



The crackdown highlighted the government’s commitment to combating human trafficking and ensuring accountability in one of the year’s most tragic events.



Posted on

IHC terminates judgment of 25 year imprisonment sentence in girl murder case


Islamabad:: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday terminated a judgment regarding 25 years imprisonment sentence to an accused for killing a girl on refusing marriage proposal.



The court said that in the sentence of a murder in normal circumstances is death penalty but it could be reduced to lifetime imprisonment on certain parameters.



IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case against the judgment of the trial court and issued order. The decision said that the trial court must provide reasons for not awarding the death penalty.



Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani wrote that the entire judgment of the trial court failed to explain the award of 25 years, the appellant’s lawyer and the State Counsel could not provide any justifiable reason when asked about the 25 years of imprisonment. It said that the trial court could not justify the award of 25 years of rigorous imprisonment in the final paragraph.



The judgment said that according to the plaintiff, Shahzad pursued the girl for 5 months and then sent marriage proposal for her. According to the lawyer, the culprit threatened to kill the girl and her father on her refusal to marry and the girl was shot in the head at 9:30 am on November 30, 2020. The court wrote that the trial court sentenced the accused to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 302C. The question arises whether the trial court could have considered the matter under Section 302C.



The Islamabad High Court said in its decision that the sentence is set aside and the case is remanded back for retrial. The trial court should give both the parties an opportunity to be heard and give a reasoned decision within 45 days.



Posted on

Shafqat Ali Khan made new FO spox as Mumtaz Zahra posted in Paris

Islamabad:: Career diplomat Shafqat Ali Khan has been appointed the new Foreign Office spokesperson, replacing Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at a press conference here on Thursday who hailed the services of the outgoing spokesperson and said that in recognition of her services, the Government of Pakistan had posted her as Pakistan's Ambassador to France.

Mumtaz Zahra was appointed to the slot in November 2022, replacing Asim Iftikhar Ahmed who was also given the ambassadorial job in Paris. Now she will again replace him as Asim Iftikhar has moved to the United Nations as the Additional Permanent Representative.

Currently, serving as Additional Secretary for Europe in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shafqat Ali Khan has served as Pakistan's ambassador to Russia and Poland, DG Europe at MoFA and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Posted on

Versatile comedian Lehri remembered on birth anniversary

Islamabad:: Birth anniversary of versatile comedian Safeer Ullah Siddqui better known as Lehri was observed on Thursday.

Born on January 2,1929, Lehri was one of the greatest comedians who made his name through film career spanning over three decades from from 1950s to 1980s. His first film, Anokhi, was released in 1956, and his last production was Dhanak in 1986. The vast majority of his films have been in Urdu, though he did perform in a few Punjabi productions.

He won the Nigar Award 12 times for various films between 1963 and 1986.

He died on September 12,2012 in Karachi at the age of 83.

Posted on

Dialogue with PTI to help resolve political issues: Musadik

Islamabad:: Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik on Thursday said that dialogue with Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), would help resolve political issues.

We welcome the gesture of PTI for sitting together for talks, he said while talking to a private television channel.

In reply to a question about protest demonstration, he said, there is no harm to organize protest demonstration in a peaceful manner but creating law and order situation in the country through public rallies would not be allowed at any cost.

The PTI, he said had a track record of spreading violence through public meetings and protest demonstration. The PTI had found involved in May 9, riots, he said.

To a question about demand of PTI for releasing the founder, he said the PTI should avoid changing statements.

In the past, he said the PTI had been demanding the release of the founder and now, they are requesting for release of the PTI workers facing cases on May 9, violation.

Posted on

IHC terminates judgment of 25 year imprisonment sentence in girl murder case


Islamabad:: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday terminated a judgment regarding 25 years imprisonment sentence to an accused for killing a girl on refusing marriage proposal.



The court said that in the sentence of a murder in normal circumstances is death penalty but it could be reduced to lifetime imprisonment on certain parameters.



IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case against the judgment of the trial court and issued order. The decision said that the trial court must provide reasons for not awarding the death penalty.



Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani wrote that the entire judgment of the trial court failed to explain the award of 25 years, the appellant’s lawyer and the State Counsel could not provide any justifiable reason when asked about the 25 years of imprisonment. It said that the trial court could not justify the award of 25 years of rigorous imprisonment in the final paragraph.



The judgment said that according to the plaintiff, Shahzad pursued the girl for 5 months and then sent marriage proposal for her. According to the lawyer, the culprit threatened to kill the girl and her father on her refusal to marry and the girl was shot in the head at 9:30 am on November 30, 2020. The court wrote that the trial court sentenced the accused to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 302C. The question arises whether the trial court could have considered the matter under Section 302C.



The Islamabad High Court said in its decision that the sentence is set aside and the case is remanded back for retrial. The trial court should give both the parties an opportunity to be heard and give a reasoned decision within 45 days.