Is the PDM case of 'double standards' applied by the judiciary in favour of Imran Khan a valid one?

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PDM fighting tooth and nail to try and stop Imran getting any relief from the courts. Their contention is that the courts are being lenient towards Imran and the same favours were not granted to their leaders

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Shortly after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan interim bail for two weeks in the Al-Qadir Trust case, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Friday announced that it will stage a protest demonstration in front of the Supreme Court over its "unjust behaviour".

"We have decided that we will protest against this behaviour. As someone who is representing the PDM, I appeal to the entire nation to reach Islamabad on Monday. We will stage a sit-in and protest in huge numbers," he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

Fazl, who is also the Amir of JUI-F, said that every worker of his party will participate in the protest and no one will stay at home.

Read more: Court grants Imran two weeks interim bail in Al-Qadir Trust case

"If someone tried to stop us, we will reply back with clubs, slaps and punches if needed," he warned.

Fazl said that instead of making efforts to eliminate the crime, the courts were instead giving protection to the culprits, adding that the top court gave protection to a person who was involved in embezzlement worth Rs60 billion.

"Did Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz or Faryal Talpur receive such relief? There are hooligans everywhere in the entire country and terrorists are roaming around and courts are giving them protection," he said.

He said that the "terrorists" were attacking Corp Commanders' residences and attacking and humiliating army installations. "Supreme Court is the mother of law, and not mother-in-law… how much they want to deviate from Constitution," he questioned.

Addressing Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Fazl said that we will not accept the decision of three judges and only the judgement of four judges was acceptable.

He said that terrorist was a small word for Imran Khan as what he had done comes under sedition and rebellion. "If Taliban does this it is rebellion but when this party does it is okay? We will not accept it," he concluded.

Also read: Imran’s ‘unlawful’ arrest overturned

The announcement comes a day after the top court came to the rescue of Imran Khan as it declared his arrest by the country's top graft-buster from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) illegal and directed immediate release of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief.

Dozens of troops of paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday broke into an office of the IHC and whisked Imran Khan away in an armoured vehicle in a whirlwind raid while executing the arrest warrant issued against the former premier by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

While violent protests erupted across the country after the development—protests that involved attacks on security personnel and arson of military and civil properties, the PTI on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court against Imran’s arrest.

In a three-page written order, the SC bench noted that the manner of execution of the arrest warrant – issued by the NAB chairman on May 1 in the Al-Qadir Trust case – within the premises of the Islamabad High Court against the petitioner is invalid and unlawful.

Express Tribune

 

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif disapproved on Friday of the ‘double standards of justice’ meted out to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in the cases against him, adding that the coalition government would take every step to ensure the rule of law in the country.

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, he said other political leaders in the country faced trials and tough handling, while Imran was given “privileged treatment”. He termred the Supreme Court’s bail relief to him “nothing but an NRO” (National Reconciliation Order).


The minister remarked that if the “favourite” continued to be favoured, then all dacoits behind bars should be also released across Pakistan.

“These are the double standards that have brought about the death of justice,” he said as he expressed astonishment over the remarks of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial's remarks during yesterday’s hearing where the top judge said that he was pleased to see Imran.

He pointed out that thousands of cases by the general public were pending before the courts while some political figures were being given special favours of bail on a priority basis.

Shehbaz criticised how similar leniency was not given to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif or other members of the cabinet. He lamented that “no one” spoke to Nawaz about the “injustices” he suffered.

The prime minister said that the judiciary also protected Imran Khan in his corruption cases. He maintained that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Billion Tree Tsunami, as well as the Malam Jabba development projects had solid proofs of corruption by PTI, but the cases were not pursued.

He continued that "Imran Khan was part of an agenda to bring fascist rule to the country for 10 years".

Read PM Shehbaz addresses nation in wake of Imran's arrest

According to the premier, May 9 – the day of Imran’s arrest – was a painful day in the country’s history as Imran’s party unleashed havoc by attacking national and military installations. He said that such scenes were not observed since the fall of Dhaka in 1973.

He recalled that despite the tragedy of the assassination of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto, his husband, former president Asif Zardari, raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ - meaning ‘Long Live Pakistan’ - as a great gesture of nationalism. He further added that nobody destroyed military installations even after the “judicial murder” of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

PM Shehbaz also recollected that he was in prison when his mother passed away, but he passed the time with patience rather than inciting riots.

He said that Imran was the “mastermind and planner” behind the attacks on military institutions, terming it a disgrace to the martyred military personnel who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.

Shehbaz maintained that the country was passing through a difficult time and the coalition government was making efforts to address the inherited challenges.

He criticised the PTI leadership for pushing the country toward the brink of a dangerous situation. He said that for months, the PTI chief made false and shameless claims about his ouster from the rule through a “regime change” by the United States.

Shehbaz said the coalition government made tireless efforts to mend relations with the US in a diplomatic manner, while Imran ultimately changed his stance against the US.

He highlighted that the PTI regime violated an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current government was attempting to repair that. He added that his predecessor made every effort for the country to default.

The prime minister continued that Imran had incurred every possible damage to the very fabric of society by promoting hatred and intolerance.

Express Tribune

 

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London Bhai farmatay hain

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ur" dir="rtl">چیف جسٹس آف پاکستان کو کل یہ بھی کہنا چاہیے تھا کہ آپ قوم کا ساٹھ ارب روپیہ لوٹ کر آئیں ہیں تو آپ کو مل کر بڑی خوشی ہوئی۔ قائد مسلم لیگ ن میاں نواز شریف <a href="https://t.co/mKFYtPEBSX">pic.twitter.com/mKFYtPEBSX</a></p>— PMLN (@pmln_org) <a href="https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1657039134848942084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz has strongly criticised Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, warning him to be prepared for a political reaction if he uses his position to serve the "political agenda" of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

The hard-hitting reaction came after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted Imran Khan interim bail for two weeks in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Friday.

Later, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — of whom the PML-N is also a part — announced that it will stage a protest demonstration in front of the Supreme Court on Monday over its "unjust behaviour".

"We have decided that we will protest against this behaviour. As someone who is representing the PDM, I appeal to the entire nation to reach Islamabad on Monday. We will stage a sit-in and protest in huge numbers," PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman told reporters in Islamabad.

"If someone tries to stop us, we will reply back with clubs, slaps and punches if needed," he warned.

In her tweet shortly after Fazlur Rehman's announcement, Maryam said that being the chief justice does not mean handing over the state to someone who has burned every symbol of national dignity and defence using his hired goons.

She stated that protecting such a person from arrest in any case, treating him as a royal guest, and praising him is an insult not only to every Pakistani but also to the martyrs and veterans whose every symbol has been attacked.

 

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The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has issued a strong condemnation against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for his "extraordinary intervention" in the arrest of former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. The cabinet deemed the intervention as "misconduct" on the part of the top judge.

According to the federal cabinet, Imran Khan's arrest was carried out in compliance with the Constitution, law, and legal procedures in the "open and shut case of corruption and corrupt practices".

The federal cabinet reiterated its stance that the CJP's interference was unjustifiable and condemned it in the strongest possible terms. It denounced the CJP's interference as "misconduct".

In the federal cabinet meeting, the ruling alliance not only condemned the CJP’s act of providing "relief" to Imran but also “strongly condemned” the CJP’s words, especially, when he addressed to Imran by saying: “Good to see you”.

The cabinet said that the expression “good to see you” by a person sitting on the highest seat of justice – CJP – for an accused arrested in a corruption case was “a shameful stain” on the forehead of the justice.

The cabinet statement read that the history of Islam, the civilised world, and judicial forums attest that such behaviour is unbecoming of any judge.

 

[KingKhanWC]

If there was rule of law applied to all, Nawaz and Zardari would be eating dhal in jail.

Nobody takes these clowns seriously.

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Niazi’s message is I am above all laws, all the state as well as public interest. We did not arrest him the way he arrested our leaders, from hospital at midnight, or from courts. Yet his preplanned violence, blackmail tactics & cult of self will now not be tolerated. Due process… <a href="https://t.co/1dlqHMuTE5">pic.twitter.com/1dlqHMuTE5</a></p>— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) <a href="https://twitter.com/sherryrehman/status/1657314926178836482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

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The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is preparing for a sit-in outside Supreme Court (SC), as political crisis intensifies in the country, ARY News reported on Saturday.

According to the details Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has begun the preparations and will go from Lahore to Islamabad to participate in the protest.

Sources confirmed that the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N chief organizer, Maryam Nawaz, will lead the rally to participate in the sit-in.

The preparations for the rally have already begun, with Malik Saiful Muluk Khokhar, the president of the Muslim League-Nawaz in Lahore, heading the efforts.

According to reports, Khokhar has been appointed as the convener of the rally, which is set to depart from Thokar Niaz Baig towards Islamabad on Monday morning. PML-N directed to employ as many workers as possible in the rally, Khokhar is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a massive turnout.

PDM head Maulana Fazl had announced sit-in outside the apex court on May 12 after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was granted bail in several cases against him from Islamabad High Court a day after his release on the orders of a Supreme Court bench.

 

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Some instructions....

 

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All judges should welcome suspects how CJP greeted Imran: Iqbal

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal called on Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to direct all judges to “welcome suspects” in the same manner he welcomed PTI Chairman Imran Khan at his Supreme Court appearance on May 11.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal addresses a press conference on May 14 in Narowal. — DawnNewsTV
Iqbal said the “suspect who had stolen Rs60 billion” from the nation was welcomed by the CJP in an honourable manner and demanded that all suspects be treated in the same manner.

He asked the nation to “see how justice is being torn to shreds”.

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CharterofDemocracy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CharterofDemocracy</a> laid out a framework for political parties to abide by. Until and unless we all agree that the establishment and judiciary must remain impartial, and the constitution must reign supreme, the country is doomed to suffer experiments and their aftermaths. <a href="https://t.co/MH8bhq1P2K">pic.twitter.com/MH8bhq1P2K</a></p>— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1657699918948061190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

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Reports by agencies regarding PDM protest outside SC ‘very alarming’: minister

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that reports provided by security agencies regarding the protest planned by the Pakistan Democratic Movement outside the Supreme Court tomorrow were “very alarming”.

He said that there was a lot of anger in the people for the apex court because of specific decisions taken by “a three-member bench” in the past few days.

“We are scared that if the protest is held in the Red Zone tomorrow, the Islamabad police have said that it will be difficult to control the protesters. So I and Ishaq Dar went to Fazlur Rehman and requested him to hold the protest outside the Red Zone.

“We have a meeting with him again at 10pm tonight and hopefully he will accept our request,” the minister added.

 

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‘Good to see you’: CJP Bandial says he greets everyone in this manner

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial has stated that he uses the phrase “good to see you” to greet everyone. His remarks come after he said the same to PTI chief Imran Khan during his appearance before the apex court on May 11, a move that had faced criticism from political leaders.

During a hearing of a case, the CJP had an interaction with lawyer Asghar Sabzwari. He initiated the exchange by saying, “I am pleased to see you as you have appeared in my court after a considerable period.”

Bandial said that he says “good to see you” to everyone, noting that he had faced a lot of criticism for using the phrase. Justice Bandial said he holds deep respect for everyone, adding that “etiquette and manners” was necessary for everyone.