Rana Shamin recorded statement before oath commissioner in London: Abbasi

Ex-chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan apex court Rana Shamim had recorded his statement about former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar, before an oath commissioner in London, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Monday.

Shamim has alleged that Nisar had given instructions to keep former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz in jail till the general elections in 2018, a claim which ex-chief justice completely denies.

In a press conference with PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, Abbasi said Nawaz was sundered from politics after he was disqualified as the prime minister back in 2017.

"Three people, including Rana Shamin and Saqib Nisar, are aware of the facts, but the people of Pakistan should also know the truth. If someone meddles with elections, so don't we hold the right to question them?" he said.

Abbasi said when the country's chief justice could be involved in such practices, then how could justice be delivered in the country.

"I pray that Nisar is not involved in this act. Getting involved in the country's affairs is unconstitutional [...] Nisar had visited hospitals and tried to build dams, thus we have to believe Rana Shamim's statement," he said.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif said PML-N would raise Shamim's allegations in the Parliament, as he had recorded his statement "without any coercion".

Shamim had stated in a notarised affidavit that he had been witness to the then CJP Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Nawaz and Maryam on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he [Saqib Nisar] became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” Shamim said in the affidavit as he talked about then top judge of Pakistan.

Nisar says report 'contrary to facts'

Reacting to The Newspaper report, former chief justice Justice (retired) Saqib Nisar said the report is "contrary to the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar levelled allegations against Shamim, accusing him of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

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IHC takes notice of ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned former chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim in relation to his allegations against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar.

The IHC has summoned Shamim, and journalist Ansar Abbasi tomorrow (Tuesday).

A report in a english newspaper had stated that then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a high court judge to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 General Elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” this is what is said in the affidavit of the former top judge of GB talking about the then chief justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah held an urgent hearing and took the decision to summon the above-mentioned persons after the Islamabad High Court Registry took notice of the report.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah said the court will treat this matter very seriously, adding that an attempt has been made to shake the people's confidence in the judiciary.

Justice Minallah will preside over the hearing tomorrow at 10:30am.

Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar refutes allegations

According to the affidavit, Shamim’s statement was given under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021. The affidavit, duly notarised, contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his NIC card. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on Nov 10, 2021.

Both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in a graft case before the July 25, 2018 general elections. Their lawyers had moved the court for suspension of the conviction but the case, after initial hearings, was postponed till last week of July.

But former chief justice Saqib Nisar, when approached, categorically denied that he had ever directed any of his subordinate judges in connection with any judicial order whether it pertained to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz or anyone else.

In his response, the former CJP said that the newspaper report about him "contradicts the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar accused Shamim of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

Former chief justice GB apex court Rana Shamim sticks to his story

But Shamim has not taken back his allegations.

Sticking to his statement, the ex-GB CJ responded that former CJP Saqib Nisar had no authority to extend his [Shamim's] tenure.

Shamim said that he would stick to everything he had said. He said that Saqib Nisar was a guest of him in Gilgit. "I did not spend any government money on Saqib Nisar's visit to Gilgit," he said.

He further said that he did not feel any need to ask for an extension in his tenure and that the former CJP had no authority to extend his tenure as per law. "Who is Saqib Nisar to give me an extension?" he asked.

Rana Shamim added that he could not say when and to whom the affidavit was given, but that the Supreme Courts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are not subordinate to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He said that it is the prerogative of the prime minister to give an extension to the chief justice in the Supreme Court of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

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Babar Azam named captain of ICC's 'Most Valuable Team of the Tournament'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the official Men’s T20 World Cup Upstox Most Valuable Team of the Tournament and to the delight of many Pakistanis around the globe, Babar Azam has been selected as its skipper.

Cricketers from six different teams were named in the Most Valuable Team of the Tournament.
Cricketers from the World Cup-winning Australia, runners-up New Zealand, semi-finalists England and Pakistan as well as Sri Lanka and South Africa have been featured in the line-up.

From Australia, Player of the Tournament David Warner, leg-spinner Adam Zampa and seamer Josh Hazlewood all make the cut.

Jos Buttler has been selected as the team's wicketkeeper, Pakistan’s Babar Azam has been selected as the captain, New Zealand left-armer Trent Boult and Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga – the tournament’s leading wicket-taker – are also in the line-up.

The line-up, featuring the stars from all cricket teams, has been selected by commentators, former international players and journalists Ian Bishop (Convenor), Natalie Germanos, Shane Watson, Lawrence Booth - of Wisden, the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday - and Shahid Hashmi of Agence France Presse.

Notably, the team of the tournament does not mention any Indian cricketer at all.

Pakistan's left-handed destructive fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been selected as the 12th man of the squad.

"As with any team selection, there will be varying opinions and robust discussion on the final composition of the squad. The panel respects that, and we encourage the strong debate that will ensue. This team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly competitive tournament. Selections were based predominantly on the Super 12 onward to the final," said Ian Bishop.

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Ex CJP rejects allegations of keeping Nawaz in jail till 2018 polls

Former chief justice Saqib Nisar on Monday said that the accusations levelled against him by the former chief justice of Gilgit Appellate Court Rana M Shamim were "contrary to the facts".

Speaking to the media, Nisar, who ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case that led to the disqualification of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said he didn't want to respond to the "plain lies" of the ex-GB chief justice.

Nisar said that Shamim had asked him for an extension but he didn't accept his request, adding that the ex-GB CJ had also complained to him about the same.

The former CJP was responding to a story published in a local newspaper by investigative journalist Ansar Abbasi, which stated that Nawaz and Maryam were kept in jail till the general elections in 2018 on the orders of Saqib Nisar.

In response to this story, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif said, "Allah has His own way of revealing the truth."
Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took exception to this report and said it was an "absurd" story by the journalist.

Taking a dig at the report, the minister said as per the news item, a Gilgit judge claimed that the former CJP told a High Court judge not to grant bail to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam before the elections.
Reportedly, these remarks were made when Nisar was having tea with the G-B top judge, Fawad said, questioning that why would Saqib Nisar discuss such a thing on the phone in front of someone and that too while he was having tea.

Fawad said that "jokes in the name of news" were being circulated in the country to prove that Nawaz Sharif is a victim.
"Instead of fabricating conspiracy theories, the Sharifs should provide money trail for the Avenfield Apartments," he said, adding that Maryam had claimed that "she did not own any property but it has emerged that she's the owner of property worth billions".

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Ex CJP rejects allegations of keeping Nawaz in jail till 2018 polls

Former chief justice Saqib Nisar on Monday said that the accusations levelled against him by the former chief justice of Gilgit Appellate Court Rana M Shamim were "contrary to the facts".

Speaking to the media, Nisar, who ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case that led to the disqualification of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said he didn't want to respond to the "plain lies" of the ex-GB chief justice.

Nisar said that Shamim had asked him for an extension but he didn't accept his request, adding that the ex-GB CJ had also complained to him about the same.

The former CJP was responding to a story published in a local newspaper by investigative journalist Ansar Abbasi, which stated that Nawaz and Maryam were kept in jail till the general elections in 2018 on the orders of Saqib Nisar.

In response to this story, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif said, "Allah has His own way of revealing the truth."
Meanwhile, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took exception to this report and said it was an "absurd" story by the journalist.

Taking a dig at the report, the minister said as per the news item, a Gilgit judge claimed that the former CJP told a High Court judge not to grant bail to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam before the elections.
Reportedly, these remarks were made when Nisar was having tea with the G-B top judge, Fawad said, questioning that why would Saqib Nisar discuss such a thing on the phone in front of someone and that too while he was having tea.

Fawad said that "jokes in the name of news" were being circulated in the country to prove that Nawaz Sharif is a victim.
"Instead of fabricating conspiracy theories, the Sharifs should provide money trail for the Avenfield Apartments," he said, adding that Maryam had claimed that "she did not own any property but it has emerged that she's the owner of property worth billions".

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Taliban hold military parade with weapons in Kabul in show of strength

Taliban forces held a military parade in Kabul on Sunday using captured American-made armoured vehicles and Russian helicopters in a display that showed their ongoing transformation from an insurgent force to a regular standing army.

The Taliban operated as insurgent fighters for two decades but have used the large stock of weapons and equipment left behind when the former Western-backed government collapsed in August to overhaul their forces.
The parade was linked to the graduation of 250 freshly trained soldiers, defence ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi said.

The exercise involved dozens of US-made M117 armoured security vehicles driving slowly up and down a major Kabul road with MI-17 helicopters patrolling overhead. Many soldiers carried American made-M4 assault rifles.
Most of the weapons and equipment the Taliban forces are now using are those supplied by Washington to the American-backed government in Kabul in a bid to construct an Afghan national force capable of fighting the Taliban.

Those forces melted away with the fleeing of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani from Afghanistan - leaving the Taliban to take over major military assets.

Taliban officials have said that pilots, mechanics and other specialists from the former Afghan National Army would be integrated into a new force, which has also started wearing conventional military uniforms in place of the traditional Afghan clothing normally worn by their fighters.

According to a report late last year by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (Sigar), the US government transferred to the Afghan government more than $28 billion worth of defence articles and services, including weapons, ammunition, vehicles, night-vision devices, aircraft, and surveillance systems, from 2002 to 2017.
Some of the aircraft were flown into neighbouring Central Asian countries by fleeing Afghan forces, but the Taliban have inherited other aircraft. It remains unclear how many are operational.

As the US troops departed, they destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armoured vehicles and disabled air defences before flying out of Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport following a chaotic evacuation operation.

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Malala fears Taliban will keep girls out of school

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai on Sunday said that she was concerned that the Taliban's block on girls' education in Afghanistan will not be temporary, as claimed.

Malala, who was shot by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2012 for campaigning for girls' education, told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that "I'm afraid that this ban that they have announced right now that they're calling temporary might not actually be temporary."

A similar ban in 1996 "lasted for five years", she pointed out.

After seizing power in August, the Taliban in September excluded girls from returning to secondary school while ordering boys back to class.

The Taliban have claimed they will allow girls to return once they have ensured security and stricter segregation under their interpretation of Islamic law -- but many are sceptical.

"We're calling on the Taliban to immediately allow girls to have access to their complete education, we're calling on G20 leaders and other world leaders to ensure that girls' rights are protected in Afghanistan," said Malala.

The 24-year-old activist, who revealed on Twitter this week that she had tied the knot with partner Asser Malik, sent an open letter last month urging the ban be reversed.

When she was 15, Malala was shot in the head by militants from the TTP in her home town in the Swat valley while on a school bus.

She recovered after months of treatment at home and abroad before co-writing a best-selling memoir titled "I am Malala."

Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as a 17-year-old in 2014, sharing the award with Kailash Satyarthi, a children's rights activist from India.

She graduated last year from the University of Oxford with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics.

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