ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s constitutional bench on Monday rejected the federal government’s plea to allow military courts to announce verdicts in cases of civilians allegedly involved in May 9, 2023 riots.
The case pertains to the trial of more than 100 civilians for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the violent protests that followed former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case on May 9, 2023.
On October 23 last year, a five-member SC bench had unanimously declared that trying the accused civilians in military courts violated the constitution, but on Dec. 13, 2023, another top court bench suspended the Oct. 23 ruling as it heard a set of 37 intra-court appeals against it.
In March this year, the top court conditionally allowed military courts to pronounce reserved verdicts in the May 9 cases, modifying its Dec. 13 injunction and ordering military courts to commence trials but barring them from convicting or acquitting any accused until a decision on intra-court appeals.
On Monday, a seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, resumed hearing the appeals and rejected the government plea allowing the military courts to verdicts of trials of civilians, observing that giving permission to announce verdicts would mean recognizing the authority of military courts.
“We want to hear the case on a daily basis and announce a decision on it,” Justice Aminuddin remarked during the hearing.
In his remarks, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail urged lawyers of all petitioners to cooperate with the bench for an early verdict in the case.
The bench resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, during which Additional Attorney-General (AAG) for Pakistan Amir Rehman requested the court for an adjournment, citing the unavailability of Ministry of Defense Khawaja Haris due to health issues. The court granted the request.
Several cases against Khan and his party related to the May 9, 2023 violence were registered by the government, which also cracked down on his supporters allegedly involved in the riots. Khan’s party has distanced itself from the protests and accused the country’s intelligence agencies of framing his party for the violence. The military denies the accusations.
The attacks took place a little over a year after Khan fell out with Pakistan’s powerful military, blaming the institution for colluding with his rivals to oust him from office in a parliamentary vote in April 2022, a charge denied by the military.
Khan, who remains a popular figure in Pakistan despite several court cases against him, has led a campaign of unprecedented defiance against the country’s powerful military. He has also accused the military of rigging the February 8 election in collusion with the election commission and his political rivals to keep him from returning to power. The military, election commission and Khan’s rivals deny the allegation.
Pakistan top court rejects government’s plea allowing military court verdicts in May 2023 riot cases
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Pakistan top court rejects government’s plea allowing military court verdicts in May 2023 riot cases
- The case pertains to the trial of over 100 civilians for allegedly attacking army installations in protests over ex-PM Khan’s arrest
- The attacks occurred a year after Khan fell out with Pakistan’s powerful military, blaming the institution for his ouster from office
Pakistan issues new flood alert as monsoon death toll climbs to nearly 200
- Official data shows 193 people, among them 93 children, have been killed in rain-related incidents since June 26
- Disaster management authority warns of urban flooding risks in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and other Punjab cities
ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a fresh flood alert from July 19-25 this week, as the death toll from heavy rains across Pakistan since late June surged to nearly 200.
According to the NDMA’s latest situation report, 193 people have been killed in total since June 26 in rain-related incidents, which includes 93 children, 64 males and 36 females.
Punjab reported the highest number of deaths, 114, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 40, Sindh 21, Balochistan 16 while Azad Kashmir and Islamabad each reported a single death.
“The National Disaster Management Authority has issued a flood alert due to expected monsoon rains across various parts of the country from today till Friday next,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report on Saturday.
The NDMA said intermittent rains are expected in KP with the risk of flooding in rivers Kabul, Swat and Panjkora as well as Kalpani and Bara streams.
It warned of the possibility of flooding and landslides in KP’s Nowshera, Malakand, Swat, Dir and upper mountainous areas during this period.
“Heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad and various cities of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Taunsa, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan,” the report added.
The NDMA also warned of urban flooding risks in Punjab’s Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and other cities, saying that the province’s low-lying areas were particularly at risk of being submerged with water.
It said monsoon rains are also expected in Sindh’s Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Thatta, Badin, Larkana, Jamshoro, Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas districts.
“Urban flooding may occur in these areas due to rainfall, with the possibility of water accumulation on roads, streets and underpasses,” it added.
Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 percent of its annual rainfall, arriving in early June in India and late June in Pakistan, and lasting through until September.
The annual rains are vital for agriculture and food security, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. But increasingly erratic and extreme weather patterns are turning the rains into a destructive force.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million. In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, including strong hailstorms.
Pakistan’s Met Office warned in a press release on July 18 that monsoon currents penetrating Sindh and upper parts of the country are likely to “intensify” in the upper and central parts of the country from July 20.
Pakistani climber killed, foreigner injured in K2 avalanche
- Avalanche struck four climbers 500 meters above K2 base camp on Friday afternoon, says state media
- K2, 8,611 meters high. is considered among dangerous peaks worldwide due to extreme weather conditions
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani climber named Iftikhar Hussain was killed this week and a foreigner sustained injuries after an avalanche struck Camp 1 at K2, the world’s second-highest peak, state-run media reported.
The incident took place on Friday when the camp was struck by an avalanche at approximately 2:30 pm, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report, citing a press release from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) on Saturday.
The state media said that the avalanche occurred around 500 meters above the base camp, catching four climbers in its path. Two managed to return safely to the Advance Base Camp, while the foreign climber suffered minor injuries.
“Local climber Iftikhar Hussain, a resident of Sadpara, Skardu, lost his life in the incident,” APP reported on Saturday. “His body was recovered and brought down to the base camp.”
Standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) on the Pakistan-China border, K2 is 238 meters shorter than Everest but is considered technically more challenging— earning it the nickname “Savage Mountain.”
Following the incident, the expedition outfitter submitted a formal request to Major General Irfan Arshad, the president of the ACP and Askari Aviation, for a mercy helicopter operation to repatriate the deceased.
The request was approved on humanitarian grounds, after which Hussain’s body was airlifted to Skardu in northern Pakistan.
Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Thousands of tourists and foreign climbers visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities.
Pakistan has produced several professional climbers, both men and women, who have summited some of the world’s tallest peaks in recent years.
Rights activists welcome Pakistan Senate move to scrap death penalty for two crimes
- Activists urge stronger protections for women as one offense involves publicly stripping them
- Harsh punishments may seem tough, they say, but often let offenders of such crimes walk free
KARACHI: Rights activists in Pakistan on Saturday welcomed Pakistan’s Senate decision to abolish the death penalty for two criminal offenses— publicly stripping women and harboring hijackers— but stressed the need for stronger legislation and better enforcement to ensure justice for survivors and prevent violence.
The reform amends Sections 354-A and 402-C of the Pakistan Penal Code and replaces capital punishment with life imprisonment for the two crimes.
Lawmakers say the move is part of a broader effort to align Pakistan’s criminal justice system with international human rights standards, particularly under the European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which grants preferential trade access to countries that uphold certain rights commitments.
“Publicly stripping women of their clothes is one of the most heinous crimes and must be met with the harshest punishment,” Mahnaz Rahman, woman’s rights activist and former executive director of the Aurat Foundation, told Arab News. “While we strongly advocate for severe punishments for such acts, we do not support the death penalty for any crime, including this one.”
She said life imprisonment itself was an “extremely severe” punishment, though she insisted the change must be accompanied by comprehensive and robust legislation to prevent this and all other forms of violence against women.
“Ultimately, it is the effective enforcement of laws and accountability that will deter such crimes and help ensure that women feel genuinely safe and protected in our society,” she added.
Sarah Belal, Executive Director of Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), said the reform aligned Pakistan’s criminal justice system more closely with the principles of fairness and the rule of law.
“The death penalty has never been enforced for this offense, but its mere presence has discouraged convictions and denied survivors meaningful redress,” she said. “Harsh punishments may appear tough, but they often let perpetrators walk free.”
“Removing the death penalty for these offenses does not mean they are being decriminalized,” she added. “It simply means we are pushing for stronger, more proportionate implementation of the law.”
Senator Talal Chaudhry of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party who introduced the bill said the amendments had been thoroughly discussed and approved by a standing committee with cross-party input.
“Replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment under both sections is part of Pakistan’s legal reforms,” he said.
The bill must now be passed by the National Assembly before it can receive presidential assent and become law.
Under existing law, Section 354-A allows for capital punishment or life imprisonment for anyone who assaults and strips a woman in public, while Section 402-C applies the same punishment to individuals who knowingly harbor hijackers.
The new bill eliminates the death penalty option for both. However, some lawmakers have voiced concern over the move.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri of the Balochistan Awami Party warned that Pakistan’s low conviction rates and weak enforcement mechanisms could make reduced punishments ineffective as a deterrent.
“This is not right,” she was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper. “This is not going to help the country or its people.”
Chaudhry defended the move, pointing to the misuse of capital punishment laws enacted during the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq.
“Life imprisonment is by no means a minor punishment,” he said, noting that the law had often been abused by police to settle personal vendettas.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized that the changes did not affect death sentences for more serious crimes like murder or rape.
“We are only removing the death penalty from offenses that do not constitute the ‘most serious crimes,’ a key requirement under the GSP+ agreement,” he said in response to a query by Senator Shibli Faraz.
Pakistan has long faced international scrutiny over its broad application of the death penalty.
At least 31 offenses are currently punishable by death under Pakistani law. While executions have not taken place since 2020, over 6,100 people remain on death row, according to the Justice Project Pakistan.
Between 2015 and 2019, more than 500 people were executed following the end of a moratorium in 2014.
Senator Quratulain Marri of the Pakistan People’s Party, a coalition partner of the ruling PML-N, said her party opposed the death penalty on principle.
“There are numerous studies on how capital punishment is not an effective deterrent,” she told Arab News. “While the need for reforms cannot be ruled out, we have to consider bringing changes that better society in the long run. The aim is to rid society of the crime and not just the criminal.”
Pakistan cuts Karachi port charges by 50% in climate-focused maritime reform push
- Government says efficient port cuts vessel idle time, fuel use and supports greener supply chains
- Pakistan also aims to cut container dwell time by 70% using AI and drone-based port monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Saturday announced a 50% reduction in Karachi Port charges, in a move aimed at cutting trade logistics costs and promoting climate-resilient, low-emission shipping practices.
The reform is part of a broader strategy to modernize Pakistan’s maritime sector and reduce its carbon footprint, as the country works to align trade infrastructure with global environmental standards.
“By lowering operational costs and streamlining logistics, we are not only boosting trade competitiveness but also contributing to climate resilience,” Chaudhry said in a statement issued by his office.
The new measures include halving charges related to port handling, vessel services and storage while scrapping a previously planned annual five percent fee hike.
Officials say the move is expected to benefit exporters of dry bulk goods and reduce emissions by improving port turnaround times and easing congestion.
“This isn’t just a financial measure,” Chaudhry added. “It’s a pivot toward low-impact, future-ready maritime trade. A more efficient port reduces idle time for vessels, lowers fuel consumption and supports greener supply chains.”
Karachi Port is one of Pakistan’s largest and busiest deep-water seaports, handling a significant share of the country’s import-export traffic.
Officials say the reforms will enhance the port’s efficiency while positioning it as a regional hub for climate-conscious maritime activity.
The announcement follows recent steps by the ministry to improve logistics and infrastructure, including the formation of a high-level committee to reduce container dwell times by 70%, and the deployment of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones for port monitoring.
Pakistan mulls ADB role in CPEC’s flagship Main Line‑1 railway upgrade
- An ADB fact-finding team inspected the 480-kilometer Karachi–Rohri track on Saturday
- Officials say the ADB is yet to take any decision while calling China the main financier
KARACHI: Pakistan is considering financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the long-delayed Main Line‑1 (ML‑1) railway upgrade — part of the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — as an ADB fact-finding team inspected a section of the track on Saturday, according to an official statement.
ML‑1, a $6.7 billion upgrade of Pakistan’s 1,687-kilometer Karachi–Peshawar rail artery, is central to CPEC. The overhaul, involving track doubling, advanced signaling and higher-speed trains, is expected to boost cargo and passenger capacity while easing the transport of trade goods to and from the country’s southern ports.
“Experts from the Asian Development Bank inspected the Karachi to Rohri railway line today,” Pakistan Railways said in a statement. “The Bank’s Chief Transport Planner, Sangyoon Kim, conducted the 480-kilometer track inspection alongside the chief engineer (open lines) of Pakistan Railways.”
“ADB’s fact-finding specialists will prepare a report on the readiness of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project, following which a final decision regarding the project’s financing will be made,” the statement added.
ML‑1 underpins Pakistan’s main rail connectivity, carrying a major bulk of the country’s cargo and passenger traffic. The project was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee in 2020 but has repeatedly stalled amid funding hitches.
Speaking to Arab News, Babar Ali Raza, spokesperson at the railways ministry, said ADB was currently only preparing the feasibility.
“The main financier is China,” he continued. “The team conducting the inspection is assessing its own feasibility to determine whether ADB can provide financing or not.”
“This would be ADB’s own financing,” he added, “however much they want to contribute.”
Pakistan and China have described CPEC as a “game-changer” for growth. The corridor comprises multibillion-dollar infrastructure initiatives covering roads, energy and rail.
The two countries are also striving for regional connectivity, with Pakistan actively pursuing economic diplomacy in the neighborhood and offering its southern ports to landlocked Central Asian countries for global trade.
