Pakistan

IHC allows Shahbaz Gill’s lawyers to meet him

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Islamabad High Court adjourns hearing till Monday.
IHC seeks detailed report of Gill’s episode.
It rejects PTI lawyers’ plea to cancel bail extension order.

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday allowed PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s lawyers to meet him at the facility where he is undergoing medical treatment.

IHC Acting Chief Justice Amir Farooq presided over the case and allowed Gill’s lawyers to meet him after they were prohibited from meeting their client earlier in the morning.

Yesterday, a district and sessions court ordered Gill — who has been behind bars since August 9 — into police custody for a further 48 hours. However, PTI challenged the case in IHC.

Following the order of the remand’s extension, the PTI leader’s condition started to deteriorate and after hours-long drama, he was shifted to the Pakistan Institute Of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital from Adiala Jail.

A four-member medical board also unanimously noted that Gill needs to be monitored further and assessed by cardiologists and pulmonologists.

In its report, the medical board also said that Gill “is a known case of asthma since childhood and has been on inhaled bronchodilators when required, now presented with shortness of breath, body aches, including left shoulder, back, neck, fight gluteal region and left-sided chest pain”.

Today’s hearing

During the proceedings, Inspector-General Islamabad Police Akbar Nasir Khan rejected the allegations that the PTI leader was tortured in police custody.

“What happened when Shahbaz Gill’s medical examination was conducted at PIMS hospital?” Justice Farooq asked. At this, IGP Khan said that the medical reports showed that the PTI leader had difficulty breathing.

Advocate General Islamabad Barrister Jahangir Jadoon, who was present at the IHC hearing to assist the court, also noted that Gill had initially refused to undergo a medical examination.

“There is hue and cry that [Gill] was tortured. So is this all a hype created by the media, or is there any truth to it? We have to find this out,” Justice Farooq said.

Justice Farooq asked whether Gill informed the magistrate at the district and sessions court that he was tortured.

In response, Special Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi told the judge that the PTI leader did no such thing.

“So where is the petitioner now?” Justice Farooq asked.

At this, Gill’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry told the judge that Gill was currently at PIMS where he is unconscious.

Chaudhry chided the special prosecutor and told him that he should not be issuing statements on behalf of the jail administration.

“I was not allowed to meet him today morning at the PIMS hospital.”

The judge, in response, told Chaudhry that his client’s remand case was being heard only because he was a political personality, otherwise, there are several similar cases which aren’t taken up at the high court.

The judge then asked IG Islamabad what steps will he take next amid the allegations that the PTI leader was tortured.

“We do not trust them,” Gill’s lawyers said about the police officer. At this, Justice Farooq asked them to refrain from saying things at once as it was not a “circus”.

The judge then issued a show-cause notice to Adiala Jail administration taking him into custody later than the ordered time. He also asked IG Islamabad to submit a detailed report regarding the controversy that took place at Adiala Jail over Gill’s custody.

Moving on, Chaudhry demanded the judge allow Gill’s lawyers to meet him, which the judge accepted. Justice Farooq told him that the order would be issued shortly.

The PTI lawyers demanded to suspend the order of the remand, but the IHC judge extended it to Monday and adjourned the hearing to the same date.

Latest News

Noticing the court closure, LHC issues an order for impenetrable security.

Published

8 hours ago

Farwa

Concerns over court closures and case hearing suspensions have been brought up by Chief Justice Shehzad Ahmed Khan of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

In a letter to the authorities, LHC CJ has brought attention to the situation.

The Punjab Interior Minister received a letter from the LHC expressing dismay over law enforcement forces’ disregard for court orders. Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Punjab Inspector General (IG) and the Lahore Chief City Police Officer (CCPO).

Court closures should never be permitted, the letter stressed, claiming that doing so would constitute a threat to the rule of law.

It was instructed to the Punjab IG and Lahore CCPO to make sure that every court had impenetrable security.

Contrasting it with contempt of court, the LHC denounced the LHC Bar secretary’s action to forcibly halt case proceedings.

The LHC Bar secretary and other parties involved were not subject to contempt proceedings, according to the letter, demonstrating the court’s forbearance.

In closing, the letter expressed hope that court attacks would stop in the future, highlighting the importance of a safe and continuous legal system.

Latest News

The Chief Minister of Punjab has given his approval for the implementation of a laptop scheme aimed at providing laptops to students.

Published

8 hours ago

Farwa

The Laptop Scheme for students has been authorized by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The Chief Minister of Punjab chaired a meeting on reforms in the higher education sector, which focused on important decisions, including the endorsement of the Laptop Scheme.

As part of the program, pupils will receive the most up-to-date laptops with a seven-year interval.

During the session, a presentation was provided on the promotion of higher education, the laptop program, and transportation services for females.

A decision was made to prioritize the construction of new universities and colleges in disadvantaged districts of Punjab.

According to CM Maryam Nawaz, the objective of the Punjab administration is to establish institutions of international caliber in each district and colleges in every tehsil.

The user expressed approval for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s declaration of an education crisis.

The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, also emphasized that 20,000 motorcycles were being distributed to students throughout the province.

Smog Eradication Initiative

In addition, a dedicated committee consisting of thirteen members, led by Maryam Nawaz, has been established to address the smog situation.

The group, comprised of 12 ministers from different departments, will assess the reports on the elimination of pollution.

The group will also identify the primary sources of smog.

Latest News

The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

Published

8 hours ago

Farwa

Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.