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CJP says commission in Faizabad sit-in case can call ‘anyone’ for probe

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa recently stated that the government's newly formed probe commission in the Faizabad sit-in case has the authority to summon anyone for investigation. During a hearing of review pleas filed against the Supreme Court's judgment in the Faizabad sit-in case, the CJP emphasized that no one is exempt and the commission can call anyone for investigation. Various pleas were subsequently filed against the verdict by different organizations and individuals. A three-member bench headed by Justice Isa is hearing the case. The Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court about the formation of a new fact-finding commission by the federal government to probe the Faizabad sit-in. The commission, comprising three members, is tasked with identifying those responsible for the sit-in and recommending legal action against them. Its findings will be submitted in a report to the federal government within two months. The CJP highlighted that ministers and MNAs who were in power during the sit-in were responsible and urged them to stand by their actions. The court ordered that the commission be trusted and adjourned the hearing for two months. The blog post also provides details about the formation of the new committee by the caretaker government and a brief overview of the Faizabad sit-in that occurred in November 2017. Full details can be found in the original article.

PTI Chairman Challenges Indictment Proceedings in Cipher Case

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has challenged the special court's October 23 indictment order in the cipher case in the Islamabad High Court. In his plea, Khan argues that the trial court overlooked constitutional requirements and indicted him prematurely. He claims that a hasty trial could affect fundamental constitutional rights and due process of law. Khan urges the IHC to declare the Official Secrets Act Court's order null and void. The cipher case relates to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan's ambassador in Washington, which Khan is accused of making public. Both Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the former foreign minister, have pleaded not guilty and refused to accept the charge sheet. Witnesses will be summoned for the next hearing on October 27. The FIR was registered under the Official Secrets Act, with Khan and Qureshi named in the report along with Azam Khan and Asad Umar. The FIR alleges that Khan and Qureshi distorted the facts of the diplomatic cipher and jeopardized state interests.