Tag Archives: Pakistan

Pakistan: Six cops booked for torture of lawyer in Layyah

Sem categoria 08/04/2024 Leave a comment

07/04/24

The Layyah police on Saturday registered a case against six police officials of Chiniot and three private people on the complaint of a local lawyer who alleged that he was kidnapped and subjected to severe torture at Chowk Azam area.

Reports said the Chiniot police accompanied by local police raided the house of Mohammed Aziz but Advocate Aslam Muna intervened.

The police alleged the lawyer snatched police vehicle keys. The lawyer on the other hand alleged that police kidnapped and tortured him.

On his call, the legal fraternity staged protests, demanding immediate action from DPO Asadur Rahman to address the allegations against the Chowk Azam station house officer.

Layyah district bar president Sheikh Mehtab Elahi and general secretary Ashfaq Thind condemned the incident.

The lawyers’ outcry prompted the district and session judge of Layyah to intervene, summoning the DPO to his office. Subsequently, a case was registered against six identified police officials and three unidentified individuals at Chowk Azam police station under various sections, including 341, 506ii, 365, 511, 148 and 149.

According to the first information report, Advocate Aslam Munna said the Chiniot police attempted to abduct him, accusing him of involvement in certain cases. He claimed that he was tortured, threatened with death, and assaulted with firearms.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1826175/six-cops-booked-for-torture-of-lawyer-in-layyah

Pakistan: Lawyer on remand for attacking police

Sem categoria 07/04/2024 Leave a comment

07/04/24

Over a dozen lawyers on Saturday attacked police personnel outside an anti-terrorism court for arresting an advocate on charges of uploading hate material on social media against the state institutions.

A police team brought Advocate Mian Abdul Mateen to the court to seek his physical remand when the supporters of the lawyer assaulted the personnel.

However, the police resorted to baton charge to control the situation.

Later, the police produced the lawyer before the court and sought 14-day physical remand.

Judge Arshad Javed, however, allowed three-day remand of the lawyer.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) condemned the unbridled use of section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 against the lawyers.

In a statement, LHCBA Secretary Barrister Qadir Bakhsh Chahal said police abducted various lawyers including Mateen, Zohaib Imran, Talha Rasool and Usman Amjad from their offices. He said the police implicated the lawyers in fabricated cases.

He said police high-handedness put a question mark on the rule of law in the country. He said the lawlessness was rampant in the country.

Chahal demanded that the IGP cancel the FIRs of terrorism charges against the lawyers and release them immediately.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1826149/lawyer-on-remand-for-attacking-police

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=698442902263987

(Lahore High Court Bar Association, Lahore Facebook, 07/04/24)

Pakistan detains UK lawyer ahead of elections

Sem categoria 18/01/2024 Leave a comment

18/01/24

UK lawyer was detained in a secret location by unidentified agents on arrival in Pakistan for almost a week, then made to record a political statement under duress condemning his own political party, sources have told Tortoise.

Abdullah Kahloon, a 36 year-old criminal barrister and father of two, was seized moments after he cleared immigration at Islamabad International Airport on 9 January. Kahloon has been released but is being held under effective house arrest and is banned from leaving the country.

Kahloon had flown to Pakistan in a bid to take part in next month’s elections, standing for Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Khan is currently in prison and a number of PTI members have been detained or harrassed in recent months.

Khan’s arrest on 9 May last year sparked nationwide protests and Kahloon has been accused of involvement in the storming of Pakistan’s army headquarters in Lahore on the same day, even though video and photo evidence indicates he was 400km away at the time.

Kahloon comes from a well-known political family in Pakistan; his father is the district president of the Sargodha district in the Punjab region. He studied law at Cardiff University and has been working in London as an advocate and barrister since 2011.

While his two daughters have joint British-Pakistani citizenship, Kahloon only took up permanent residence in Britain. He had dreams of running for office one day and Pakistani law does not allow dual nationals to do so.

On 9 May 2023, it is understood that Kahloon was accompanying Khan and his legal counsel to court shortly before Khan’s dramatic arrest, as a PTI candidate who would soon run for election.

Kahloon returned home to London but was then accused by the Pakistani authorities of being involved in the violent protests in Lahore. Kahloon flew into Pakistan on 9 January to attend a hearing at the Islamabad High Court to clear his name, in order to run for office next month.

[…]

https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2024/01/18/pakistan-detains-uk-lawyer-ahead-of-elections/

https://theprint.in/go-to-pakistan/arrest-abduction-or-escape-missing-pti-candidate-sends-pakistanis-on-a-hunt/1918138/

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/imran-khan-fails-to-get-relief-from-pak-court-to-contest-feb-8-elections-124011000491_1.html

https://time.com/6556335/pakistan-election-imran-khan-nawaz-sharif-military-pti/

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/release-abdullah-kahloon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imran_Khan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_Tehreek-e-Insaf

Pakistan: Lawyers protest against police raid

Sem categoria 04/11/2023 Leave a comment

04/11/23

Scores of lawyers gathered for a sit-in outside the office of the Faisalabad city police officer on Friday, condemning an alleged police raid at the residence of lawyer Mian Naseer Hussain.

During the raid, the police arrested his sister-in-law without any case against her, reportedly in violation of privacy.

Faisalabad District Bar Association (DBA) President Rana Shahid Munir Manj and General Secretary Rana Babar Khan told reporters that a Batala Colony police team, led by DSP Haji Nasir Abbas, forcibly entered the lawyer’s house to arrest a relative wanted in a murder case.

The lawyers claimed that the police behaved inappropriately with women and detained the lawyer’s brother’s wife. Following discussions with police officials, they received assurances of the woman’s release.

[…]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1786244/lawyers-protest-against-police-raid

Collapse of justice system in Afghanistan leaves countless at the mercy of the Taliban

Sem categoria 17/10/2023 Leave a comment

16/10/23

The erosion of the justice system in Afghanistan has left countless at the mercy of the Taliban, including lawyers, prosecutors and judges. This is particularly true for women, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned.

The Law Society has raised its concerns with the United Nations (UN) as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).*

Law Society President Nick Emmerson said: “The complete collapse and dismantling of the legal system, which began after the resurgence of the Taliban in 2021, remains a significant worry.

“The Taliban have dismissed all previously appointed prosecutors and judges, as well as abolished the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association and the Attorney General’s Office, which has undermined the rule of law and access to justice.

“Countless lawyers have also had their licenses revoked and are prohibited from practising. Women lawyers are excluded from taking their qualifying examinations, renewing their licenses, or appearing in court.

“Only Taliban-approved men lawyers are allowed to appear in court, where they are required to pledge loyalty to the state and comply with the Taliban’s extreme interpretation of sharia law.

“Having effectively banned all women lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, the Taliban have seriously restricted access to justice for women. Judicial bodies will not accept women’s petitions or allow women to appear alone in court.”

The dismantling of the legal system has also led to the systematic persecution of legal practitioners.

Nick Emmerson concluded: “Many legal professionals who worked in the legal system prior to the Taliban takeover have become targets of the Taliban.

[…]

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us/press-office/press-releases/collapse-of-justice-system-in-afghanistan-leaves-countless-at-the-mercy-of-the-taliban

https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-undertake-speedy-overhaul-afghanistan-justice-system/7289101.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67020994

https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan-deportations-hrw-grave-risk/32634830.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67002834

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/11/submission-universal-periodic-review-afghanistan

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132662

Pakistan: Woman killed after shooting lawyer, two others

Sem categoria 08/10/2023 Leave a comment

07/10/23

A woman was gunned down after she shot at and injured a senior lawyer, his clerk and a security guard in Tandlianwala on Friday.

According to Tandlianwala city police, the woman, identified as Phannon Bibi, wife of Tariq Mahmood Wattoo, a resident of Chak 431-GB, opened indiscriminate fire with a pistol when lawyer Malik Siddique Awan was walking towards his chamber after appearing in a court.

As a result the lawyer, his clerk Rab Nawaz and a security guard received bullets.

However, the injured security guard returned the fire, leaving the attacker dead on the spot.

Sources say the lawyer was counsel for some accused persons who had allegedly murdered three relatives of the attacker.

The injured lawyer and two others were shifted to Tandlianwala THQ hospital where doctors referred Mr Awan to Faisalabad’s Allied Hospital.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Dr Muhammad Abid Khan has taken notice of the incident and directed all district police officer (DPOs) of the division to ensure fool-proof security in and around the district and tehsil courts.

He also ordered proper use of metal detectors and CCTV cameras to keep an eye on all those entering the courts premises and check suspected persons to avert such incidents.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1779678/woman-killed-after-shooting-lawyer-two-others

https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30336060

https://x.com/FSDTv41/status/1710271491294495201?s=20

Pakistan: Veteran lawyer found shot dead

Sem categoria 30/09/2023 Leave a comment

29/09/23

Veteran PPP leader and lawyer Ayub Lodhi was allegedly killed under mysterious circumstances here on Thursday.

Lodhi was among the pioneers of the PPP activists during the era of the late ZA Bhutto. He had shifted several years ago to Old Anarkali in Lahore where he practised law.

He was in Bahawalpur for the last many days and was stated to be staying with his relatives at Mohallah Aam Khas in the limits of Kotwali police.

A police spokesperson told Dawn Lodhi had allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1778358/lawyer-found-shot-dead

Home

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_People%27s_Party

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parti_du_peuple_pakistanais (FRANCAIS)

Pakistan: En route to court another lawyer is killed

Sem categoria 01/09/2023 Leave a comment

30/08/23

[…]

LAWYER KILLED: A lawyer was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Tuesday when he was going to attend court.

Noor Jaspal left his home in his car when near sem nullah the assailants opened fire. Jaspal lost control over the car, which plunged into the nullah. The lawyer died at the scene.

The Phularwan police registered a case and are investigating.

The Bhalwal Bar observed a strike and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

[…]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1773038/38-housing-schemes-declared-illegal

(Pakistan Bar Council Facebook 19/08/23)

(Pakistan Bar Council 01/09/23 Facebook)

Pakistan: Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, ex-lawmaker Ali Wazir arrested

Sem categoria 20/08/2023 Leave a comment

20/08/23

The Islamabad Capital Police on Sunday said that human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and former lawmaker Ali Wazir were arrested “for investigation” hours after the activist posted on social media platform X that unidentified people were breaking into her home.

“Islamabad Capital Police has arrested Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari,” the police said on X (formerly Twitter). “Both suspects were wanted by the Islamabad Police for investigation. All action will be taken in accordance with law.”

The police did not specify what case they were investigating the human rights lawyer and the lawmaker from South Waziristan in.

It added that the news issued by the public relations department of the Islamabad Capital Police should be accepted as correct. “No one is authorised to give a statement from a police station.”

The development comes after Imaan posted on X in the early hours of Sunday that “unknown persons breaking down my home cameras banging gate jumped over”.

[…]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1771196/human-rights-lawyer-imaan-mazari-ex-lawmaker-ali-wazir-arrested-islamabad-police

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66637600

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/20/pakistan-rights-activist-imaan-mazari-hazir-ex-lawmaker-ali-wazir-arrested

https://www.geo.tv/latest/505884-shireen-mazari-says-police-abducted-her-daughter-iman

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2431655/ali-wazir-imaan-mazari-arrested-in-islamabad

https://thefridaytimes.com/20-Aug-2023/police-abduct-rights-activist-iman-mazari-in-late-night-raid

IBAHRI concerned about the discrimination of Ahmadiyya lawyers in Pakistan

Sem categoria 10/08/2023 Leave a comment

10/08/23

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is highly concerned about the recent news that lawyers belonging to the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan – a numeric minority community in the country – are being required to renounce their religion as a prerequisite to practice law. This is a flagrant violation of their right to freedom of religion or belief.

According to news reports, Ahmadi Muslim lawyers have also faced physical attacks in court on account of their faith. For example, on 27 April 2023, a 77-year-old Ahmadi Muslim Supreme Court advocate, Syed Ali Ahmad Tariq, was reportedly assaulted by other lawyers while practising in court. The lawyers allege that Mr Tariq violated Section 298 B of Pakistan’s Penal Code (Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles, etc reserved for certain holy personages or places) for having signed an affidavit in court using his full name which includes the prefix ‘Syed’, as this ‘made him out to be a Muslim’. 

Mr Tariq has been detained and faces a potential custodial sentence of three years. Commenting on this attack in his judgment, the presiding Judge, Omar Sial J (High Court of Sindh Karachi) stated: ‘Not only an attempt was made to intimidate the court and interfere in the smooth administration of justice, but a lawyer… was physically abusive towards… one of the learned counsel for the applicant. […] This was simply unacceptable behaviour and conduct and must necessarily be condemned by the Bar Associations and Councils.’

IBAHRI Co-Chair and Immediate Past Secretary General of the Swedish Bar Association, Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc, commented: ‘Pakistan must ensure that its laws and policies are in accordance with international standards without exceptions. Religious minority communities such as the Ahmadiyya must be granted all rights as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR] and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR], including the right to freedom of religion or belief as per Article 18 and Article 27 respectively. In particular, the latter that grants extra protections for minority communities.’

In March 2023, the District Bar Association of Gujranwala announced that any applicant must positively assert that they are Muslim and denounce the teachings of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. A similar announcement was made by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council in May 2023. The requirement is contrary to international legal standards, and specifically the right to freedom of religion or belief, as affirmed in Articles 18 of both the UDHR and ICCPR. Pakistan ratified the ICCPR in 2010, and as such, is bound by its provisions.

[…]

https://www.ibanet.org/IBAHRI-concerned-about-the-discrimination-of-Ahmadiyya-lawyers-in-Pakistan

https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar-council-raises-concern-over-treatment-of-ahmadi-muslim-lawyers-in-pakistan.html

Bar Council of England, Wales raises concern over treatment of Ahmadi lawyers in Pakistan
Ruckus forces SHC judge to relist Ahmadi lawyer’s case

https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2023/05/16/advocate-salman-assaulted-in-court-for-representing-ahmadi-lawyer-arrested-under-section-298c/

https://thewire.in/communalism/pakistan-senior-ahmadiyya-lawyer-arrested-over-use-of-syed-in-name

Click to access Ahmadiyya-Muslim-Lawyers-Association.pdf

Pakistan: To Join Bar, Ahmadi Lawyers Are Asked to Deny Their Faith

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadisme (FRANCAIS)