PTI seeks time from ECP to respond to notice in prohibited funding case

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside the Pakistan's election commission building in Islamabad. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Tuesday sought two weeks' time from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to respond to notices received in the prohibited funding case, a request that was accepted. A four-member bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, held a hearing on a notice served to PTI chairman Imran Khan in the case. Owing to his schedule, PTI’s lawyer Shah Khawar did not appear at the hearing. However, the party’s assistant lawyer Naveed Anjum represented the party in the hearing. He said that there are several documents in the case which he has to gather which requires time. The lawyer then sought two weeks from the commission to submit a detailed response to the notice.
In response to the request, the CEC asked PTI’s lawyer why he has to collect the documents when he already possesses them, as he had been part of the entire process. Anjum responded by saying that the party is collecting documents from foreign chapters. The hearing of the case was adjourned till September 6, after PTI’s request for extra time was approved by the commission.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/pti-seeks-time-from-ecp-to-respond-to-notice-in-prohibited-funding-case/?feed_id=14838&_unique_id=630519d213cd8

IHC issues notice on govt’s plea against dismissal of Shahbaz Gill's physical remand

PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in court during a hearing of a sedition case filed against him. Screengrab

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued a notice to PTI leader Shahbaz Gill on a petition filed by the federal government against a local court’s ruling that turned down the plea seeking an extension in his physical remand in a sedition case filed against him.

On August 13, Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Jadoon moved the IHC seeking its order to declare the decision taken by the district and sessions court null and void while extending the physical remand of Imran Khan's chief of staff.

IHC acting Chief Justice Amir Farooq took up the petition today.

During the course of the proceedings, the petitioner accused the PTI leader of targeting a state institution that had rendered great sacrifices for the country.

At this, the court asked why do you want an extension in the physical remand of Shahbaz Gill?

What will you do if the remand is extended? the court inquired.

“It is a fact that your review petition has been dismissed and the physical remand [of Shahbaz Gill] is over,” observed the court.

The petition apprised the court that the police needed an extension in Gill's remand as they have to recover the suspect’s laptop and other devices to take the investigations to its logical end.

Meanwhile, the court served notice on Gill in this regard and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (August 16). 

The case 

A treason case was registered against Shahbaz Gill at the Kohsar Police Station under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot if rioting be committed; if not committed), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups, etc), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), among others.

On August 9, Gill was arrested from Banigala Chowk in the capital a day after making controversial remarks on a private TV. He was subsequently booked on charges of sedition and inciting the members of the state institutions against their leadership.

The court granted a two-day physical remand and directed them to present him on August 12.  However, the police sought an extension in Gill's remand for another 12 days on Friday but the court dismissed the plea.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/ihc-issues-notice-on-govts-plea-against-dismissal-of-shahbaz-gills-physical-remand/?feed_id=11084&_unique_id=62f9fa7d17bca

What does ECP serving show-cause notice to PTI entail?

A representational image of the Election Commission of Pakistan building. — Facebook/File

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday ruled that the Imran Khan-led PTI received funds from prohibited sources and issued a show-cause notice, asking the party to explain why its funds shouldn't be frozen.

So what happens when a party is issued a show-cause notice?

ECP sources said that the body issues show-cause notices to a party under the Political Party Order, 2002, and gives it a chance to explain itself and present its case. Through the move, the party gets a chance to come clean before its assets are frozen.

The party usually has 7-14 days to submit its response before the ECP.

In case the party has documented evidence that it has not committed illegal acts, it has the chance to present those documents before the election commission, the sources said.

If the party, according to sources, successfully persuades the election commission, through the documents, that it has not received prohibited funding, the ECP can reverse its ruling.

But if the ECP is not convinced, it will send a reference to the federal government — which will then pursue the case. The federal government, through investigation, will determine whether the donations fall under the category of foreign funding or prohibited funding.

If the government finds the reference to be authentic, then it has the authority to confiscate party funds or dissolve it.

Moreover, when the prohibited funds are confiscated, a declaration to dissolve the party will be sent to the Supreme Court.

The final authority lies with the apex court whether to approve or reject the declaration of the party's dissolution.

If the Supreme Court approves the declaration, the party is dissolved and its members in the National and Provincial Assemblies are unseated.

 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/what-does-ecp-serving-show-cause-notice-to-pti-entail/?feed_id=5797&_unique_id=62e9b9b31743d

On Day 7 of Proceedings, AAP Gives Notice on Price Rise & GST

Parliament Monsoon Session Updates, July 26, 2022: Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will begin around 11 AM today, a day after sixth consecutive day of the Monsoon session was marred by Opposition protests over price rise, GST and other issues, leading to suspension of four Congress members and adjournment of the Houses. On Monday, many MPs trooped into the well of the House during the question hour, shouting slogans and displaying placards.

Speaker Om Birla warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, that those who continue to shout slogans and display placards will have to do it outside the House after 3 pm. He told them that the government was ready to discuss issues raised by them and stressed that people want the House to function.

Concerns about low rainfall, unemployment, losses incurred by farmers, tribal distress, MNREGA payments and government schools were among the matters raised by members in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour on Monday. However, the voices of these members were drowned in continued protests by opposition parties which were demanding urgent discussions on price and rise and other issues.

Since the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 18, opposition parties, including the Congress, have been protesting against price rise, GST and various other concerns, leading to disruption of proceedings.

Here’s What is Happening Latest in Parliament:

• AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh on Tuesday a notice on inflation and GST in the Upper House under Rajya Sabha’s rule 267.

सांसद @SanjayAzadSln जी ने राज्यसभा में दिया 267 का नोटिस, महंगाई और GST के मुद्दे पर दिया नोटिस। pic.twitter.com/oKWqlvzaAw

— Ajit Tyagi (@_AjitTyagi) July 20, 2022

• Riti Pathak, BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh, on Monday said that the tribals in her constituency were denied benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Saubhagya Scheme or Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana.

• Jagadambika Pal of the BJP raised the issue of rain shortfall in Uttar Pradesh and said it has caused suffering to farmers in his constituency Domariyaganj. He demanded that a central team be dispatched and a survey conducted to estimate the loss incurred by farmers.

• TMC MP Aparupa Poddar demanded a one-time age relaxation for recruitment into the Indian Army, BJP MPs Uday Pratap Singh and Mitesh Patil asked Railways for stoppages and flyovers, respectively.

• BJP MP Kaushalendra Kumar demanded that the number of days of employment under the MNREGA scheme be increased. He said that in certain areas, instead of 100 days of work people were getting work for just 28 days.

• A trans person applicant may be issued fit medical assessment, provided there are no associated medical, psychiatric or psychological conditions, the government told Parliament on Monday. It said that medical tests administered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for issuing pilot licences recognises transpersons.

Read all the Latest News and Breaking News here

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/on-day-7-of-proceedings-aap-gives-notice-on-price-rise-gst/?feed_id=2166&_unique_id=62df5c07706e4