Islamabad court resumes hearing of Shahbaz Gill’s bail plea

Police officers escort the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Doctor Shahbaz Gill after a hearing at district court, in Federal Capital. — file 

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad resumed on Monday (today) hearing of a petition seeking interim bail of PTI’s incarcerated leader Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case filed against him.
On August 9, Gill was arrested from Banigala Chowk in the capital a day after making controversial remarks on a private TV channel. He was subsequently booked on charges of sedition and inciting members of state institutions against the Pakistan Army. Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal is hearing the sedition case. Shahbaz Gill’s lawyers are giving their arguments in the courtroom.

Court gave police last chance to submit records

In the last hearing, the Islamabad court gave the capital's police the last chance to submit records pertaining to the sedition case against the PTI leader by Monday with his lawyers terming the delay "unfortunate". The police, during that day's hearing, told the court that the investigation officer — who is in Karachi and has the records — could not be reached and his phone has also been switched off.
Special prosecutor Rizwan Abbas told the court that he wanted to see the records first before he could present his arguments. At this, Gill's lawyers said that it was "extremely unfortunate" that the police were delaying the matter. In response, Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Mahmood Supra said that he was giving one "last chance" to the police to present the records by Monday. The hearing of the case was then adjourned till Monday (today).

Multiple charges 

Gill is facing serious charges after he allegedly incited mutiny within the military while speaking on a private TV channel earlier this month.
He was already facing sedition charges, but the Islamabad police had also registered a case against the PTI leader over possession of an illegal weapon. He was booked in the case after police raided the incarcerated PTI leader's room in Parliament Lodges last week — where they recovered weapons, a satellite phone, and foreign currency. The PTI, since Gill's arrest, has been repeatedly alleging that he has been tortured, humiliated, and sexually assaulted in police custody, however, the police and government deny all claims. During the raid at his Parliament Lodge's residence also, Gill told journalists that he had been "sexually assaulted".

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the alleged torture of Gill in police custody.

Currently, the PTI leader is on judicial remand in the two cases which will end on September 7. More to follow... 

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China always stands with Pakistan in times of need: Ahsan Iqbal

Addressing an event in Islamabad, minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said China has always stood with Pakistan in times of need.

He said the Chinese enterprises while feeling the suffering of flood-affected people of Pakistan have donated fifteen million rupees in the Prime Minister's relief fund.

He said China is giving twenty-five thousand tents to provide shelter to the flood victims while the Red Cross Society of China has offered three hundred thousand dollars to Pakistan Red Crescent.

He said we are grateful to the Chinese brothers who felt the pain of the Pakistani nation and this is the true spirit of Iron brotherhood.

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Govt focusing on enhancing exports: Miftah

Addressing Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit in Islamabad, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said the government is focusing on enhancing exports.

He assured to extend facilitation to the companies in exporting their products to the international market.

He stressed that every company should export at least ten percent of their products to earn valuable foreign exchange for the country.

As regards the agriculture sector, the Finance Minister said a task force has been established to address the problems faced by this productive sector of the economy. He said the country this year has so far imported 1.1 million ton of wheat. He said the money spent on import of wheat could be saved by supporting the farmers and introducing latest technology in the sector.

He said bolstering exports and agriculture will also benefit the poor segments of the society.

The Finance Minister said we will also have to create a balance in our incomes and expenditures, and have to live within our means to address the issues of budget and trade deficits.

Miftah Ismail also emphasized for promoting education in the country to register successes in different fields.

Addressing the Summit, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman pointed out that climate change is impacting 9.1 percent of our GDP.

Describing climate change a national security problem, she said Pakistan will not compromise on its long term mitigation promises. However, she said we are shifting focus to adaptation to level up resources, thinking and planning to phase down climate disasters.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/govt-focusing-on-enhancing-exports-miftah/?feed_id=12344&_unique_id=62fda0ff2a570

PTI announces power show in Islamabad on August 13

PTI supporters attend a rally in Charsadda. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday announced that the party will organise a public gathering in the federal capital on the eve of Pakistan’s 75th independence day.

The decision was taken during a party meeting presided by PTI chief Imran Khan.

Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry shared that the party will hold a gathering at the Parade Ground Islamabad where Khan will announce the party’s future strategy.

“Imported government is running from elections, but the nation will not let them get away. On August 13, Pakistan will gather in parade Ground alongside Imran Khan,” he tweeted, urging party workers to prepare for the last leg.

“Election or revolution,” tweeted the former minister.

Sources mentioned that former premier presided a meeting of PTI’s political committee in which the country’s current situation was also under discussion, in addition to reviewing legal issues regarding Khan contesting the by-elections in nine constituencies across Pakistan.

Briefing on the party’s legal strategy regrading resignations of PTI members in the assembly was also conducted. PTI’s legal team informed party members about the progress of applications in the courts.

PTI trying to hide wrongdoings: Interior Minister

Speaking in Geo News show Naya Pakistan, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah commented on PTI’s plans to gather workers and supporters in Islamabad.

“They are allowed to gather at Parade Ground and were granted permission earlier as well,” the minister said, adding that the party is using the jalsa to hide its wrongdoings.

Talking about the party’s plan to attract crowds in the federal capital, the interior minister maintained that the government will not be threatened by the party.

He added that the foreign funding verdict has exposed Khan in front of the nation and that PTI is not sincere about the elections.

“Their lies have now been caught,” he said, criticizing Khan and his party for misleading the youth.

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