Latest news with #PeshawarHighCourt
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC questions FIR in PECA case
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the federal government and other relevant authorities, seeking a response regarding the registration of an FIR against a local lawyer under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Abdul Fayyaz heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Syed Arshad Ali questioned the legal basis of the FIR, remarking, "How can the police register a case under the PECA Act when it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)? How can an SHO file such a case?" The petitioner, Advocate Roman Shah, appeared before the court. Justice Arshad Ali asked him why the FIR had been registered. Shah responded that he was unaware of the specific allegations and only knew that it had been filed under PECA. Justice Abdul Fayyaz noted, "The PECA Act falls within FIA's domain. How did the SHO register the FIR?" Justice Arshad Ali further added, "If the matter is within FIA's jurisdiction, then the SHO has no authority to register such a case." The petitioner informed the court that he had already secured interim bail. The Assistant Attorney General told the bench that the FIR was based on a social media post made from the petitioner's account, allegedly targeting a senior official of a security agency. Justice Arshad Ali questioned the petitioner's actions, asking, "Why do you share such content that creates problems?" In response, Advocate Roman Shah denied ownership of the account, stating, "This is not my account. Nowadays, fake accounts are created using other people's photos. I have no knowledge of this post." Following the hearing, the court issued notices to the federal government and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Illegal weapons, liquor case: Gandapur's non-bailable arrest warrants suspended
ISLAMABAD: A local court on Thursday suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a case related to alleged possession of illegal weapons and liquor. Judicial Magistrate Mubashir Hussain Chishti, while hearing the case registered at Bhara Kahu police station, suspended Gandpur's warrants. Gandapur appeared before Mubashir Hassan Chishti along with his legal team, marking his first appearance in the case after issuance of his warrant. During proceedings, Gandpur's counsel Raja Zahoorul Hasan told the court that his client personally appeared before the court. He informed the court that the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had already granted interim bail to the chief minister until July 3. He requested the court to suspend the non-bailable arrest warrants following Gandapur's court appearance. In response, the court asked about the submission of a statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), to which Gandapur assured that the required responses would be submitted after the presentation of the provincial budget. The court approved Gandapur's request and suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants and adjourned the hearing until July 2. It is pertinent to mention here that the court had issued an arrest warrant for Gandapur on September 4, 2024 for not appearing before the court. Gandapur, while talking to the media after appearing before the court, criticised the ongoing legal actions against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership and party workers. He stated that numerous cases against the PTI founding chairman and workers are wasting their time and energy. 'These cases are wasting the time and energy of our leadership and workers,' he said, adding that 'once the judiciary is truly independent and all institutions operate within constitutional limits, such challenges will naturally end.' He condemned the recent Israeli attacks on Iran and Palestine and expressed solidarity with both nations. Gandapur also expressed a desire to witness and participate in 'Ghazwa-e-Hind.' To a question about US President Donald Trump and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's meeting, he said that he had no information and therefore could not comment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC seeks answers on Hayatabad crime surge
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Peshawar, and other relevant officials in response to a petition highlighting the worsening law and order situation in the upscale Hayatabad locality. The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal. During the proceedings, petitioner Advocate Muhammad Hamdan informed the court that serious crimes, including street robberies, burglaries, extortion, theft, and armed muggings, have become a daily occurrence in Hayatabad. He noted that with a population exceeding one million, the area is served by only two police stations. The petitioner further stated that criminals often escape by crossing the boundary wall into Khyber district, complicating police efforts due to jurisdictional challenges. He also pointed out that the Safe City Project has not yet been completed, leaving the area increasingly vulnerable. Advocate Hamdan urged the court to order the establishment of additional police stations in Hayatabad and to direct authorities to take concrete steps to restore law and order. In response, the court issued notices to the Chief Secretary, IG Police, Commissioner Peshawar, and other stakeholders, demanding a detailed reply.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC halts rollback of cadet promotions
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has restrained authorities from revoking the promotions of police officers who had advanced in rank as cadets in the Khybe-Pakhtunkhwa police. The court also sought a detailed response from the concerned departments. The bench, comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Farah Jamshed, was hearing a writ petition filed by Amjad Hussain and others through Advocate Syed Asif Ali Shah. The petitioners argued that they are currently serving at the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other senior positions in the police force, having received promotions during their training period when they were officially designated as cadets (those candidates who topped their promotion courses). According to the petitioners, under Standing Order No. 11 of 1987, police officers declared cadets during their course were entitled to faster promotions compared to their peers. These promotions, they asserted, do not fall under the category of "out-of-turn" promotions, which were declared unlawful by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the context of Sindh and Punjab. The petitioners further stated that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had initially attempted to reverse their promotions by misapplying the Supreme Court's ruling. However, in 2022, the Peshawar High Court had ruled that these promotions were legally protected through proper legislative measures and did not qualify as out-of-turn promotions. They noted that the Supreme Court had laid out distinct procedures for various categories of promotions and that the current Inspector General of Police had, on May 23, 2025, issued a notification wrongly categorizing their cadet-based promotions as out-of-turn.
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Court bans Thandiani, Taxila crushers
The Abbottabad Bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a landmark 31-page judgment, declaring the stone crushing plants on Thandiani Road and Taxila illegal and ordering their permanent closure. In its detailed verdict, PHC noted that the NOCs (No Objection Certificates) obtained by the stone crushing plant operators from various government officials held no legal validity. Previously, the Environmental Protection Tribunal, which holds monthly sessions at the Sessions Court Building in Abbottabad, had also ordered the closure of these stone crushing plants for damaging the environment and air quality. However, the plant owners managed to continue their operations by appeasing the police and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Challenging the Environmental Tribunal's decision, the stone crushing plant owners filed writ petitions at the Abbottabad Bench of PHC through their lawyers, including Nasir Aslam and Zafar Iqbal. PHC rejected these petitions and ordered the permanent closure of all stone crushing plants causing environmental harm near residential areas. This public-interest historic ruling was achieved largely through the efforts of young lawyer Hashim Iqbal Khan Jadoon, who was educated and trained in Canada.
