The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on authorities in a hearing on the alleged conversion of two Hindu girls in Sindh province. The incident was reported last month when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hindu-girls-abducted-in-pak-islamabad-high-court-orders-state-to-ensure-their-protection-205703">family members of the girls claimed that they were kidnapped</a> on the eve of Holi festival and converted.

"Why is it that such incidents happen in your area only? Why is the federation taking this case so lightly? We need to learn from other countries. Whatever the case is, the impact and message internationally are not encouraging," Chief Justice Athar Minallah told the Chief Secretary of Sindh province.

We should learn from the incident in New Zealand. This is an Islamic Welfare state and minorities should have the right to free movement, the chief justice added.

The girls' lawyers, meanwhile, claimed that they are not minors and converted and married as per their own will. They pleaded that the girls should be handed over to their husbands, but the chief justice said, "This matter is sensitive, we will go in its depth. We will do whatever the law says and is acceptable to all. We will not be issuing any verdict in rush."

The court posted the case for further hearing on April 11.

"The age reports are a secondary concern, the primary concern remains the way things are done. A statement should be taken in the free will of the girls in front of the magistrate and again after three months, another statement should be taken, like it's done in India, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. There are many countries where people convert to Islam but they are not questioned," said Ramesh Vankani, a member of the National Assembly from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Senator Kishoo Bai of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who accompanied the girls' family to the court, rejected the medical report submitted by doctors saying that the family was not informed beforehand.

The high court formed a judicial inquiry commission to look into the matter and determine whether the case is of forced conversion. The court also accepted the family's plea to include Mufti Taqi Usmani in the inquiry commission ahead of naming the four-member inquiry commission. Before adjourning the hearing till the April 11, the court instructed the Federal Secretary Interior to be present before the court in the next hearing in his personal capacity.

The two girls were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Sindh's Ghotki district by a group of "influential" men on March 20, a day before Holi. They were converted to Islam and married to Muslim men. A video of a priest purportedly solemnising the marriage of the two girls went viral soon after, triggering nationwide outrage. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a probe.

The Pakistan police detained at least seven people, including a nikah khwan (marriage officiator), allegedly involved in the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of the two sisters.

Sushma Swaraj, India's External Affairs Minister, demanded last week that the girls be returned immediately to their families.

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on authorities in a hearing on the alleged conversion of two Hindu girls in Sindh province. The incident was reported last month when the family members of the girls claimed that they were kidnapped on the eve of Holi festival and converted.

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on authorities in a hearing on the alleged conversion of two Hindu girls in Sindh province. The incident was reported last month when the family members of the girls claimed that they were kidnapped on the eve of Holi festival and converted. "Why is it that such incidents happen in your area only? Why is the federation taking this case so lightly? We need to learn from other countries. Whatever the case is, the impact and message internationally are not encouraging," Chief Justice Athar Minallah told the Chief Secretary of Sindh province. We should learn from the incident in New Zealand. This is an Islamic Welfare state and minorities should have the right to free movement, the chief justice added. The girls' lawyers, meanwhile, claimed that they are not minors and converted and married as per their own will. They pleaded that the girls should be handed over to their husbands, but the chief justice said, "This matter is sensitive, we will go in its depth. We will do whatever the law says and is acceptable to all. We will not be issuing any verdict in rush." The court posted the case for further hearing on April 11. "The age reports are a secondary concern, the primary concern remains the way things are done. A statement should be taken in the free will of the girls in front of the magistrate and again after three months, another statement should be taken, like it's done in India, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. There are many countries where people convert to Islam but they are not questioned," said Ramesh Vankani, a member of the National Assembly from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Senator Kishoo Bai of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who accompanied the girls' family to the court, rejected the medical report submitted by doctors saying that the family was not informed beforehand. The high court formed a judicial inquiry commission to look into the matter and determine whether the case is of forced conversion. The court also accepted the family's plea to include Mufti Taqi Usmani in the inquiry commission ahead of naming the four-member inquiry commission. Before adjourning the hearing till the April 11, the court instructed the Federal Secretary Interior to be present before the court in the next hearing in his personal capacity. The two girls were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Sindh's Ghotki district by a group of "influential" men on March 20, a day before Holi. They were converted to Islam and married to Muslim men. A video of a priest purportedly solemnising the marriage of the two girls went viral soon after, triggering nationwide outrage. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a probe. The Pakistan police detained at least seven people, including a nikah khwan (marriage officiator), allegedly involved in the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of the two sisters. Sushma Swaraj, India's External Affairs Minister, demanded last week that the girls be returned immediately to their families.

'Why are you taking it so lightly?' Islamabad High Court slams authorities over alleged forced conversion of Hindu girls

The Islamabad High Court has ordered the state to take into custody the two Hindu sisters allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and married to Muslim men, Pakistan's Geo News reported Tuesday.&nbsp;

The two girls, who are 13 and 15, were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Sindh's Ghotki district by a group of "influential" men on March 20, a day before Holi. &nbsp;

A video of a priest purportedly solemnising the marriage of the two girls went viral soon after, triggering a nationwide outrage. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a probe.

Geo TV reported earlier that the two sisters had approached a court in Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province seeking protection.&nbsp;

The news agency ANI reported on Tuesday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-seven-people-arrested-for-abduction-forced-conversion-of-hindu-girls-205683">police have detained at least seven people</a>, including a nikah khwan (marriage officiator), allegedly involved in the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of the two sisters.&nbsp;

Sushma Swaraj, India's External Affairs Minister, demanded on Tuesday that the girls be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/abducted-hindu-girls-in-pakistan-sushma-swaraj-says-restore-them-to-their-families-immediately-205671">returned immediately</a> to their families.&nbsp;

"Justice demands that both these girls should be restored to their family immediately," Swaraj said on Twitter.&nbsp;

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Geo News: Islamabad High Court orders the state to ensure protection and take over the custody of two underage sisters from Ghotki, who were allegedly forcibly converted from Hinduism and married to Muslim men. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/yaqmiN0sJM">pic.twitter.com/yaqmiN0sJM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1110426540951683072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Sunday, New Delhi had sent a note verbale to Pakistan's Foreign Office stating its concerns over the abduction of the two girls.&nbsp;

The Islamabad High Court has ordered the state to take into custody the two Hindu sisters allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and married to Muslim men, Pakistan's Geo News reported Tuesday.

The Islamabad High Court has ordered the state to take into custody the two Hindu sisters allegedly abducted, converted to Islam and married to Muslim men, Pakistan's Geo News reported Tuesday. The two girls, who are 13 and 15, were allegedly kidnapped from their home in Sindh's Ghotki district by a group of "influential" men on March 20, a day before Holi. A video of a priest purportedly solemnising the marriage of the two girls went viral soon after, triggering a nationwide outrage. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered a probe. Geo TV reported earlier that the two sisters had approached a court in Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province seeking protection. The news agency ANI reported on Tuesday that police have detained at least seven people, including a nikah khwan (marriage officiator), allegedly involved in the abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of the two sisters. Sushma Swaraj, India's External Affairs Minister, demanded on Tuesday that the girls be returned immediately to their families. "Justice demands that both these girls should be restored to their family immediately," Swaraj said on Twitter. Geo News: Islamabad High Court orders the state to ensure protection and take over the custody of two underage sisters from Ghotki, who were allegedly forcibly converted from Hinduism and married to Muslim men. #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/yaqmiN0sJM — ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2019 × On Sunday, New Delhi had sent a note verbale to Pakistan's Foreign Office stating its concerns over the abduction of the two girls.

Hindu girls abducted in Pakistan: Islamabad High Court orders state to ensure their protection

A Pakistani top court has observed that the sentences of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in a corruption case "may not be ultimately sustainable" as it issued a detailed judgement on Wednesday, two weeks after freeing the trio on bail.

On September 19, a two-judge bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave the judgment on petitions filed by Sharif, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar challenging the Avenfield verdict against them.

Justice Athar Minallah read the judgment and suspended the sentences handed to the three by Accountability Court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6.&nbsp;

Sharif, Maryam and Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to the purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices.

The 41-page judgment on the IHC's September 19 order has been written by Justice Minallah, Geo News reported.

"In hindsight, the sentences awarded to the suspects may not be ultimately sustainable," it quoted the judge as saying.

"The accountability court which awarded the sentences did not state how or refer to evidence regarding how Maryam assisted Nawaz (Sharif) in the purchase of the Avenfield apartments," it added.

Further, the judgement stated, "The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) mostly relied on Panama Papers case to argue their points against suspension in sentences."

The prosecution did not challenge the acquittal, the judgment read.

It said the court findings are not final and the judges said their opinions or observations will not influence the appeals, the bench further said in its judgment.

"We accept the petitioners' pleas seeking a suspension in their sentences," Justice Minallah said.

Ordering their release, the two-judge bench directed the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs 500,000 each. 
Sharif, 68, Maryam, 44, and Safdar, 54, were also disqualified to contest elections or to hold public office for a period of 10 years after release. Both&nbsp; 
Maryam and Safdar are politicians.&nbsp;

The sentences will on the trio remain suspended till the final adjudication of the appeals filed by them.

Sharif and Maryam were arrested on July 13 upon arrival in Lahore from London.

On July 16, the Sharifs had filed appeals for the Avenfield verdict to be overturned.

Apart from the Avenfield case, the Sharifs face jail terms if they are convicted in two more corruption cases related to Al-Azizia and Flagship cases. The cases against the family stemmed from Panama Papers case in April 2016.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition filed by the NAB challenging the IHC's decision to hear Sharifs' petitions against the Avenfield verdict.

On September 15, the anti-graft body had moved the Supreme Court in an effort to keep the IHC from ruling on an application from the Sharif family seeking the suspension of the Avenfield verdict.&nbsp;

However, imposing a Rs 20,000 fine on the anti-graft bureau, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar noted that justice should be served to petitioners.

A Pakistani top court has observed that the sentences of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in a corruption case "may not be ultimately sustainable" as it issued a detailed judgement on Wednesday, two weeks after freeing the trio on bail.

A Pakistani top court has observed that the sentences of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in a corruption case "may not be ultimately sustainable" as it issued a detailed judgement on Wednesday, two weeks after freeing the trio on bail. On September 19, a two-judge bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave the judgment on petitions filed by Sharif, Maryam and Capt (retd) Safdar challenging the Avenfield verdict against them. Justice Athar Minallah read the judgment and suspended the sentences handed to the three by Accountability Court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6. Sharif, Maryam and Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to the purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The 41-page judgment on the IHC's September 19 order has been written by Justice Minallah, Geo News reported. "In hindsight, the sentences awarded to the suspects may not be ultimately sustainable," it quoted the judge as saying. "The accountability court which awarded the sentences did not state how or refer to evidence regarding how Maryam assisted Nawaz (Sharif) in the purchase of the Avenfield apartments," it added. Further, the judgement stated, "The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) mostly relied on Panama Papers case to argue their points against suspension in sentences." The prosecution did not challenge the acquittal, the judgment read. It said the court findings are not final and the judges said their opinions or observations will not influence the appeals, the bench further said in its judgment. "We accept the petitioners' pleas seeking a suspension in their sentences," Justice Minallah said. Ordering their release, the two-judge bench directed the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs 500,000 each. Sharif, 68, Maryam, 44, and Safdar, 54, were also disqualified to contest elections or to hold public office for a period of 10 years after release. Both Maryam and Safdar are politicians. The sentences will on the trio remain suspended till the final adjudication of the appeals filed by them. Sharif and Maryam were arrested on July 13 upon arrival in Lahore from London. On July 16, the Sharifs had filed appeals for the Avenfield verdict to be overturned. Apart from the Avenfield case, the Sharifs face jail terms if they are convicted in two more corruption cases related to Al-Azizia and Flagship cases. The cases against the family stemmed from Panama Papers case in April 2016. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition filed by the NAB challenging the IHC's decision to hear Sharifs' petitions against the Avenfield verdict. On September 15, the anti-graft body had moved the Supreme Court in an effort to keep the IHC from ruling on an application from the Sharif family seeking the suspension of the Avenfield verdict. However, imposing a Rs 20,000 fine on the anti-graft bureau, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar noted that justice should be served to petitioners.

Convictions against Sharifs in Avenfield verdict may not be sustainable: Pak court

A hearing by Pakistan&#39;s accountability court against ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law, retired Captain Safdar, in Islamabad was today adjourned till November 7.

The hearing against Nawaz Sharif and his family was adjourned after the court was unable to procure an order passed by the Islamabad High Court regarding the clubbing of the three references against the Sharif family in time, The Dawn reported.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Safdar appeared in court appeared together in court for the first time today.

The Supreme Court had directed National Accountability Bureau to file references against Nawaz and his children in six weeks in the accountability court, The Dawn report said, adding that the court also directed the trial court to decide the references within six months.

The Sharif family is facing trial in connection with National Accountability Bureau references pertaining to the Avenfield flats, the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment. 
 
Nawaz Sharif paid two surety bonds of five million rupees ($48,000) each before leaving under tight security after the brief hearing, his lawyer Khawaja Haris told AFP.

Nawaz Sharif, who was forced out by the Supreme Court in July following a corruption investigation against him following the Panama Papers leak case, had been facing an arrest warrant for failing to appear at hearings since early October.

On Thursday, he arrived in Islamabad from London where he has spent most of the time with his wife who is receiving treatment for cancer.&nbsp;

Sharif and his supporters have denied the allegations and hinted at a political conspiracy driven by the powerful military.&nbsp;

&quot;I am going to Pakistan despite (my wife&#39;s) chemotherapy to appear in a bogus case,&quot; he told media in London before departing.

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s system has contradictions... all this must be changed, now is the time to change it.&quot;

He said nothing to media outside the court in Islamabad, but his son-in-law Muhammad Safdar also hinted at a conspiracy.&nbsp;

&quot;Till the time the courts are... free from the fear of some other people, I can&#39;t expect any fair trial from this court,&quot; Safdar said outside the court.

(With inputs from AFP)

The hearing against Nawaz Sharif and his family was adjourned till November 7 after the court was unable to procure an order passed by the Islamabad High Court regarding the clubbing of the three references against the Sharif family, a media report said

A hearing by Pakistan's accountability court against ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law, retired Captain Safdar, in Islamabad was today adjourned till November 7. The hearing against Nawaz Sharif and his family was adjourned after the court was unable to procure an order passed by the Islamabad High Court regarding the clubbing of the three references against the Sharif family in time, The Dawn reported. Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Safdar appeared in court appeared together in court for the first time today. The Supreme Court had directed National Accountability Bureau to file references against Nawaz and his children in six weeks in the accountability court, The Dawn report said, adding that the court also directed the trial court to decide the references within six months. The Sharif family is facing trial in connection with National Accountability Bureau references pertaining to the Avenfield flats, the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment. Nawaz Sharif paid two surety bonds of five million rupees ($48,000) each before leaving under tight security after the brief hearing, his lawyer Khawaja Haris told AFP. Nawaz Sharif, who was forced out by the Supreme Court in July following a corruption investigation against him following the Panama Papers leak case, had been facing an arrest warrant for failing to appear at hearings since early October. On Thursday, he arrived in Islamabad from London where he has spent most of the time with his wife who is receiving treatment for cancer. Sharif and his supporters have denied the allegations and hinted at a political conspiracy driven by the powerful military. "I am going to Pakistan despite (my wife's) chemotherapy to appear in a bogus case," he told media in London before departing. "Pakistan's system has contradictions... all this must be changed, now is the time to change it." He said nothing to media outside the court in Islamabad, but his son-in-law Muhammad Safdar also hinted at a conspiracy. "Till the time the courts are... free from the fear of some other people, I can't expect any fair trial from this court," Safdar said outside the court. (With inputs from AFP)

Accountability case hearing against Nawaz Sharif, family adjourned

Indian national Uzma, who had accused her Pakistani husband of marrying her at gunpoint, has finally returned to India, a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her the permission to.

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj met her in the Indian capital soon after her return.

The IHC had also ordered police to provide her security till the Wagah Border.

An IHC bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form, which her husband Tahir had submitted to the court on Tuesday, reported Geo News.

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Uzma - Welcome home India&#39;s daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through.
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/867611568124645376">May 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tahir also expressed his desire to meet Uzma in private, which the latter refused.

Justice Kayani remarked that if Uzma does not want to meet Tahir, then she won&#39;t be forced.&nbsp;

Wasim Ahmad, brother of Uzma, said the Indian government had done more than expected for Uzma, who got permission from the Islamabad High Court to return to India.

He also said that the Indian Embassy treated Uzma with full care. She took shelter in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5, 2017.

He added that he had no words to thank the government, Swaraj, and Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Indian woman Uzma returns to India via Attari-Wagah border, she alleged she was forced to marry a Pakistani <a href="https://t.co/x5FeEos6lS">pic.twitter.com/x5FeEos6lS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/867618328872837120">May 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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On May 19, Uzma had submitted a six-page reply to the High Court and reiterated her earlier claims and said that she was forced to sign the Nikkahnama [marriage papers].

The reply also claimed that Tahir`s affidavit was based on lies. The reply also requested that Uzma was allowed to travel to India as her visa would expire on May 30.

Earlier, while recording her statement before the Court of a Judicial Magistrate Uzma (20) also alleged that she was sedated, assaulted, tortured mentally and physically by the man in Pakistan who had invited her to visit his family in Pakistan.

Uzma, who hails from New Delhi, also stated the she had taken shelter in High Commission of India of her own accord and would stay there till she is sent back to India with security.

The case came to the forefront after her husband claimed that Indian High Commission has stopped her wife from leaving the premises during their visit to apply for visa on May 7.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Indian national Uzma, who had accused her Pakistani husband of marrying her at gunpoint, has finally returned to India, a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her the permission to. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj met her in the Indian capital soon after her return. The IHC had also ordered police to provide her security till the Wagah Border. An IHC bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form, which her husband Tahir had submitted to the court on Tuesday, reported Geo News. Uzma - Welcome home India's daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2017 × Tahir also expressed his desire to meet Uzma in private, which the latter refused. Justice Kayani remarked that if Uzma does not want to meet Tahir, then she won't be forced. Wasim Ahmad, brother of Uzma, said the Indian government had done more than expected for Uzma, who got permission from the Islamabad High Court to return to India. He also said that the Indian Embassy treated Uzma with full care. She took shelter in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on May 5, 2017. He added that he had no words to thank the government, Swaraj, and Indian High Commission in Pakistan. #WATCH Indian woman Uzma returns to India via Attari-Wagah border, she alleged she was forced to marry a Pakistani pic.twitter.com/x5FeEos6lS — ANI (@ANI_news) May 25, 2017 × On May 19, Uzma had submitted a six-page reply to the High Court and reiterated her earlier claims and said that she was forced to sign the Nikkahnama [marriage papers]. The reply also claimed that Tahir`s affidavit was based on lies. The reply also requested that Uzma was allowed to travel to India as her visa would expire on May 30. Earlier, while recording her statement before the Court of a Judicial Magistrate Uzma (20) also alleged that she was sedated, assaulted, tortured mentally and physically by the man in Pakistan who had invited her to visit his family in Pakistan. Uzma, who hails from New Delhi, also stated the she had taken shelter in High Commission of India of her own accord and would stay there till she is sent back to India with security. The case came to the forefront after her husband claimed that Indian High Commission has stopped her wife from leaving the premises during their visit to apply for visa on May 7. (ANI)

Uzma, who said she was forced to marry Pakistani man at gunpoint, returns to India

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The Islam&shy;abad High Court on Tuesday asked the Federal Investigation Agency to stop harassing WION&rsquo;s Pakistan bureau chief Taha Siddiqui and issued a notice to the director general and another official of the FIA.

Justice Aamir Farooq has sought a response from FIA officials and has adjourned the hearing in the case till May 29.

Siddqui had filed a writ petition on May 22 with the court alleging harassment by the FIA.

The petition says the FIA called Siddiqui, demanding that he appear before it at FIA headquarters for interrogation.

When Siddiqui asked the FIA why, he was not given a concrete answer.

But the FIA hinted that it wished to question him about his reporting. &nbsp;

When Siddiqui replied that his work was in the public domain and that any questions could be asked over the phone, the FIA told Siddiqui in a threatening tone and voice that it would &quot;be better&quot; for him to appear before it.

The petition adds Siddiqui was reluctant to appear before the the FIA because &quot;once the person who is to be interrogated sets out to the FIA headquarters, he is either picked up and disappeared or detained illegally&quot;.

The petition adds that ever since the phone call, Siddiqui has noticed that &quot;plain-clothed persons have conspicuously been pointing at his house&quot;.

And that the &quot;petitioner is a journalist and it is his responsibility to collect information and to be able to impart this information to the public at large&quot;.

Before filing his petition, Siddiqui wrote to WION that he is &quot;being harassed by the FIA and being targeted for expressing my opinions&quot;.

And that he is the &quot;only journalist on that FIA list and I&#39;m the first to ask relief from courts since I feel harassed and intimidated&quot;.

The petition also lists Pakistan&#39;s interior ministry and Noman Bodla, deputy director of the FIA&#39;s counter-terrorism department, as respondents.

It was Bodla who had made the call to Siddiqui. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION)

Taha Siddiqui had filed a writ petition on May 22 with the court alleging harassment by the FIA

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday asked the Federal Investigation Agency to stop harassing WION’s Pakistan bureau chief Taha Siddiqui and issued a notice to the director general and another official of the FIA. Justice Aamir Farooq has sought a response from FIA officials and has adjourned the hearing in the case till May 29. Siddqui had filed a writ petition on May 22 with the court alleging harassment by the FIA. The petition says the FIA called Siddiqui, demanding that he appear before it at FIA headquarters for interrogation. When Siddiqui asked the FIA why, he was not given a concrete answer. But the FIA hinted that it wished to question him about his reporting. When Siddiqui replied that his work was in the public domain and that any questions could be asked over the phone, the FIA told Siddiqui in a threatening tone and voice that it would "be better" for him to appear before it. The petition adds Siddiqui was reluctant to appear before the the FIA because "once the person who is to be interrogated sets out to the FIA headquarters, he is either picked up and disappeared or detained illegally". The petition adds that ever since the phone call, Siddiqui has noticed that "plain-clothed persons have conspicuously been pointing at his house". And that the "petitioner is a journalist and it is his responsibility to collect information and to be able to impart this information to the public at large". Before filing his petition, Siddiqui wrote to WION that he is "being harassed by the FIA and being targeted for expressing my opinions". And that he is the "only journalist on that FIA list and I'm the first to ask relief from courts since I feel harassed and intimidated". The petition also lists Pakistan's interior ministry and Noman Bodla, deputy director of the FIA's counter-terrorism department, as respondents. It was Bodla who had made the call to Siddiqui. (WION)

Islamabad High Court asks Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency to stop harassing WION bureau chief

Opposition leader Imran Khan was granted permission today by a Pakistan high court to hold November 2 protests against the Nawaz Sharif government, international news agency Reuters reported today.&nbsp;The court, however, warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens, according to media reports.&nbsp;

Khan has vowed to bring millions of people out onto the streets&nbsp;to agitate against prevailing corruption&nbsp;and Panama Papers&#39; revelations about his family&#39;s offshore wealth.&nbsp;

According to Reuters, the Islamabad high court dismissed government challenges to the protests.&nbsp;However, it ordered Khan to hold the agitation on a parade ground far from the city&#39;s main government and commercial districts, Geo Television reported.

The government has also been ordered by justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui to ensure protection for the fundamental rights of residents of the capital to go about their daily lives, Geo reported.

Escalating political tensions have led to periodic clashes between supporters of Khan&#39;s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the police, who have arrested scores of opposition workers and used tear gas to disperse protesters.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The Islamabad high court, however, warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens

Opposition leader Imran Khan was granted permission today by a Pakistan high court to hold November 2 protests against the Nawaz Sharif government, international news agency Reuters reported today. The court, however, warned that demonstrations should not disrupt life for citizens, according to media reports. Khan has vowed to bring millions of people out onto the streets to agitate against prevailing corruption and Panama Papers' revelations about his family's offshore wealth. According to Reuters, the Islamabad high court dismissed government challenges to the protests. However, it ordered Khan to hold the agitation on a parade ground far from the city's main government and commercial districts, Geo Television reported. The government has also been ordered by justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui to ensure protection for the fundamental rights of residents of the capital to go about their daily lives, Geo reported. Escalating political tensions have led to periodic clashes between supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the police, who have arrested scores of opposition workers and used tear gas to disperse protesters. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Pak court clears way for Imran Khan's Nov 2 protest

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