In a major relief ahead of the February 8 general elections, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday declared “illegal” the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke the PTI’s ‘bat’ electoral symbol and reject its intra-party polls.

Peshawar High Court restores PTI's electoral symbol

A Pakistan court on Thursday ordered Pakistan Telecom Authority to ban TikTok for "spreading obscenity". &nbsp;

"The court has asked PTA to block access to TikTok," Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) spokesman Khurram Mehran told news agency Reuters.

He added that the telecom authority would comply with the order given by Peshawar High Court.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan said that videos that are being uploaded on TikTok are "unacceptable for Pakistani society".

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tiktok-and-chinese-version-douyin-grab-number-one-spot-in-downloads-in-february-369140">TikTok and Chinese version Douyin grab number one spot in downloads in February</a>

"TikTok is affecting most of the youth. Reports being received about the platform in Peshawar are sad," the chief justice said.&nbsp;

He underscored that the videos were "spreading obscenity" and so the platform must be immediately shut down.&nbsp;

TikTok, owned by a Chinese firm, was banned in Pakistan in October over "unethical content," but the ban was later lifted over conditions and warnings that it will adhere to the laws of the country.&nbsp;

The short-video making platform has faced a lot of heat from countries like India and the US.&nbsp;

It has been banned in India since June 29 and for engaging "in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."

A Pakistan court on Thursday ordered Pakistan Telecom Authority to ban TikTok for "spreading obscenity". "The court has asked PTA to block access to TikTok," Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) spokesman Khurram Mehran told news agency Reuters.

A Pakistan court on Thursday ordered Pakistan Telecom Authority to ban TikTok for "spreading obscenity". "The court has asked PTA to block access to TikTok," Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) spokesman Khurram Mehran told news agency Reuters. He added that the telecom authority would comply with the order given by Peshawar High Court. During the hearing, Chief Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan said that videos that are being uploaded on TikTok are "unacceptable for Pakistani society". Also read | TikTok and Chinese version Douyin grab number one spot in downloads in February "TikTok is affecting most of the youth. Reports being received about the platform in Peshawar are sad," the chief justice said. He underscored that the videos were "spreading obscenity" and so the platform must be immediately shut down. TikTok, owned by a Chinese firm, was banned in Pakistan in October over "unethical content," but the ban was later lifted over conditions and warnings that it will adhere to the laws of the country. The short-video making platform has faced a lot of heat from countries like India and the US. It has been banned in India since June 29 and for engaging "in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."

Pakistan court orders ban on TikTok over 'obscene' content

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-handed-death-sentence-in-high-treason-case-268641">Pervez Musharraf </a>on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence.

For the first time in Pakistan's recent history, a special court, earlier this week, handed a death sentence to a former military general in a high treason court.

As per the detailed verdict, cited by Pakistan Today, "The then Corps Commanders Committee in addition to all other uniformed officers who were guarding him each and every time, with boots on, are equally and fully involved in the act and deeds of the accused person."

"As a necessary corollary to what has been observed, we find the accused guilty as per charge. The convict is hanged by his neck till he dies on each count as per charge," the verdict said.

"We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," it added.

In the brief ruling announced on Tuesday, the three-member bench headed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-in-a-setback-to-christian-community-peshawar-high-court-nationalises-edwardes-college-257628">Peshawar High Court</a> (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprised Justice Nazar Akbar of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sindh-high-court-chief-justices-son-kidnapped-879">Sindh High Court</a> (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lahore-high-court-accepts-hafiz-saaeds-application-challenging-his-arrest-in-terror-financing-case-254314">Lahore High Court</a> (LHC) had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Article 6 of the Constitution states: "Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason."

The special court, earlier this month, had said that it would announce the verdict in the case on December 17. The court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007.

The court was scheduled to announce the verdict on November 28 on the basis of the available record but the Islamabad High Court halted the verdict announcement after

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government filed a petition against the announcement. 
Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the case.

The high treason trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case.

He was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year.

However, due to litigation at appellate forums, Musharraf's trial lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment."

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/ex-pakistan-president-zardari-secures-interim-bail-in-6-corruption-cases-219102"> former Pakistan President</a> was then declared an absconder as he failed to appear in court despite repeated summons and the court issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest him.

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence.

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence. For the first time in Pakistan's recent history, a special court, earlier this week, handed a death sentence to a former military general in a high treason court. As per the detailed verdict, cited by Pakistan Today, "The then Corps Commanders Committee in addition to all other uniformed officers who were guarding him each and every time, with boots on, are equally and fully involved in the act and deeds of the accused person." "As a necessary corollary to what has been observed, we find the accused guilty as per charge. The convict is hanged by his neck till he dies on each count as per charge," the verdict said. "We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," it added. In the brief ruling announced on Tuesday, the three-member bench headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprised Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution. Article 6 of the Constitution states: "Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason." The special court, earlier this month, had said that it would announce the verdict in the case on December 17. The court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007. The court was scheduled to announce the verdict on November 28 on the basis of the available record but the Islamabad High Court halted the verdict announcement after Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government filed a petition against the announcement. Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the case. The high treason trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case. He was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, Musharraf's trial lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment." The former Pakistan President was then declared an absconder as he failed to appear in court despite repeated summons and the court issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest him.

Musharraf's body to be hanged at Islamabad's D-Chowk for 3 days if dies before execution: Verdict

In a setback to the Christian community in Pakistan, the Edwardes College Peshawar, a private Christian institute, has been nationalised by the Peshawar High Court.&nbsp;

This is yet another example of systematic and state prosecution of minorities in Pakistan and how they are deprived of their rights in the country.&nbsp;

Dawn had reported on October 10, that a Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench turned down the plea of Peshawar Diocese Bishop seeking a stay order till filing of an appeal before Supreme Court of Pakistan against a judgment of the court of declaring Edwardes College a nationalised entity and not a private educational institution.&nbsp;

On October 2, the newspaper had reported that the "PHC bench turned down the plea of the Peshawar Diocese Bishop to declare the historical Edwardes College a private entity and ruled that the college was a nationalised educational institution governed by a board of governors (BoG) formed by the provincial government."

The court had on October 1, rejected a petition "requesting to declare the college, which was set up in 1900, a private institution in light of an earlier judgment delivered by the court in 2016 and to stop the government from interfering in its affairs.

"The written judgement in the case is out now and the college has been nationalised under the 1974 notification by Peshawar High Court. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who never misses a chance to talk about the condition of minorities in India has so far maintained a silence on the issue. The Christian community all around the world feels back-stabbed and utterly disappointed by this "unjust decision" of PHC.&nbsp;

The News International in a report on October 19 had said that the Christian community leaders have accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of interfering in the affairs of Edwardes College.&nbsp;

The British Pakistani Christian community has called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue an executive order to confirm that Edwardes College Peshawar will remain a private Christian institute and will not be nationalised, The News International said in its report.&nbsp;

In August, at a United Nations meet, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by Pakistan and slammed it for "persecuting and repressing" religious minorities.&nbsp;

During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in Pakistan and China.&nbsp;

They highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China, and Christians, Ahmadiyas, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan.&nbsp;

In recent years, there have been a number of incidents of forced abduction, conversion and even killing of girls from minority communities, which highlights their plight in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been discriminating against its religious minorities through targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, and forced conversion to Islam. This places Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias among the most persecuted minorities in the region.

In a setback to the Christian community in Pakistan, the Edwardes College Peshawar, a private Christian institute, has been nationalised by the Peshawar High Court.

In a setback to the Christian community in Pakistan, the Edwardes College Peshawar, a private Christian institute, has been nationalised by the Peshawar High Court. This is yet another example of systematic and state prosecution of minorities in Pakistan and how they are deprived of their rights in the country. Dawn had reported on October 10, that a Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench turned down the plea of Peshawar Diocese Bishop seeking a stay order till filing of an appeal before Supreme Court of Pakistan against a judgment of the court of declaring Edwardes College a nationalised entity and not a private educational institution. On October 2, the newspaper had reported that the "PHC bench turned down the plea of the Peshawar Diocese Bishop to declare the historical Edwardes College a private entity and ruled that the college was a nationalised educational institution governed by a board of governors (BoG) formed by the provincial government." The court had on October 1, rejected a petition "requesting to declare the college, which was set up in 1900, a private institution in light of an earlier judgment delivered by the court in 2016 and to stop the government from interfering in its affairs. "The written judgement in the case is out now and the college has been nationalised under the 1974 notification by Peshawar High Court. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who never misses a chance to talk about the condition of minorities in India has so far maintained a silence on the issue. The Christian community all around the world feels back-stabbed and utterly disappointed by this "unjust decision" of PHC. The News International in a report on October 19 had said that the Christian community leaders have accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of interfering in the affairs of Edwardes College. The British Pakistani Christian community has called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue an executive order to confirm that Edwardes College Peshawar will remain a private Christian institute and will not be nationalised, The News International said in its report. In August, at a United Nations meet, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada raised the issue of suppression of religious freedom by Pakistan and slammed it for "persecuting and repressing" religious minorities. During the meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, the US, UK and Canada expressed concerns over the increasing, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in Pakistan and China. They highlighted the discrimination suffered by the Uyghur community in China, and Christians, Ahmadiyas, Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan. In recent years, there have been a number of incidents of forced abduction, conversion and even killing of girls from minority communities, which highlights their plight in Pakistan. Pakistan has been discriminating against its religious minorities through targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, and forced conversion to Islam. This places Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias among the most persecuted minorities in the region.

Pakistan: In a setback to Christian community, Peshawar High Court nationalises Edwardes College

The controversial lunar calendar launched by Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry was challenged in the Peshawar High Court on Monday, with the petitioner saying it was not in line with Islamic teachings and demanded the minister's sacking.

Chaudhry, a close aide of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, launched Pakistan's first moon sighting website in May, days before Eid-ul-Fitr, angering many clerics.

Chaudhry last month announced that the Government of Pakistan will observe Eid on June 5 unlike in Saudi Arabia where Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on June 4.

The petitioner argued that the lunar calendar launched by the minister was not in line with Islamic teachings.&nbsp;

"The minister first forced the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr (on June 5) and has now announced that Eidul Azha will be celebrated on August 12," the Express Tribune quoted the petition as saying.&nbsp;

He further argued in the petition that in order to determine the day for Eidul Azha, the days of Haj need to be confirmed.

"Without reading the Holy Quran, the minister has determined days of Eid," the petitioner claimed and requested that the lunar calendar not be introduced in Pakistan.

He further prayed upon the court in his petition that the science minister be removed from his post.

Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has said it will review the lunar calendar issued by the government before a decision is taken regarding it.

CCI Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz earlier told the media that a final opinion on the calendar cannot be taken without the advice of religious scholars.&nbsp;

Chaudhry has angered the clerics by discontinuing the traditional moon sighting methods used by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to end the moon sighting controversy during all important Islamic festivals.&nbsp;

Till now, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the department which announces the sighting of the new moon, used to determine when Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in Pakistan.

The National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, was informed recently that Pakistan spent crores of rupees on the sighting of the moon for Muharram, Ramazan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in 2018.&nbsp;

The controversial lunar calendar launched by Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry was challenged in the Peshawar High Court on Monday, with the petitioner saying it was not in line with Islamic teachings and demanded the minister's sacking.

The controversial lunar calendar launched by Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry was challenged in the Peshawar High Court on Monday, with the petitioner saying it was not in line with Islamic teachings and demanded the minister's sacking. Chaudhry, a close aide of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, launched Pakistan's first moon sighting website in May, days before Eid-ul-Fitr, angering many clerics. Chaudhry last month announced that the Government of Pakistan will observe Eid on June 5 unlike in Saudi Arabia where Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on June 4. The petitioner argued that the lunar calendar launched by the minister was not in line with Islamic teachings. "The minister first forced the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr (on June 5) and has now announced that Eidul Azha will be celebrated on August 12," the Express Tribune quoted the petition as saying. He further argued in the petition that in order to determine the day for Eidul Azha, the days of Haj need to be confirmed. "Without reading the Holy Quran, the minister has determined days of Eid," the petitioner claimed and requested that the lunar calendar not be introduced in Pakistan. He further prayed upon the court in his petition that the science minister be removed from his post. Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has said it will review the lunar calendar issued by the government before a decision is taken regarding it. CCI Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz earlier told the media that a final opinion on the calendar cannot be taken without the advice of religious scholars. Chaudhry has angered the clerics by discontinuing the traditional moon sighting methods used by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to end the moon sighting controversy during all important Islamic festivals. Till now, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the department which announces the sighting of the new moon, used to determine when Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in Pakistan. The National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, was informed recently that Pakistan spent crores of rupees on the sighting of the moon for Muharram, Ramazan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha in 2018.

Pakistan government's controversial lunar calendar challenged in Peshawar High Court

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday withdrew a conditional permission for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to contest elections after he failed to appear in court.

Musharraf had filed his nomination from the northern district of Chitral after the court last week allowed him to contest the July 25 general election but made it conditional on his appearance before it on June 13 in a case linked to his lifelong disqualification by the Peshawar High Court in 2013.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar yesterday rebuked the former army chief for "cowardice", taunting him for not appearing in court and had told him to appear by 2 pm today.

During the hearing, his counsel Qamar Afzal informed the court that Musharraf, 74, was determined to return but it was not possible for him to come immediately.

''I have spoken to Musharraf, he asks for more time. He plans to come to Pakistan but due to Eid holidays and illness, he can't travel immediately,''&nbspAfzal said.

It prompted the chief justice to adjourn the hearing for an indefinite period, saying the next hearing will be held when the petitioner was ready for it.

Alright, we'll adjourn the court hearing till indefinite time period, will hold it on your wish,&nbspthe judge observed.

But he ordered to withdraw the conditional permission for Musharraf to contest elections.

Earlier today, Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) said on Twitter that preparations for his return were in the final stage.

It was not clear why the plan was changed within hours after it was announced.

Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016, and is wanted in several cases.

He is facing a high-profile treason case and has been declared an absconder due to his persistent failure to appear before the special trial court set up to try him.

The former president was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing an emergency in the country which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 other judges.

A conviction for high-profile treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Musharraf has sought adequate security from the government for his return to appear in court in the treason case.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case.

In April 2013, the Peshawar High Court had disqualified him for life, holding him ineligible to contest elections. It also dismissed his appeal against his disqualification.

Musharraf had filed his nomination from the northern district of Chitral after the court last week allowed him to contest the July 25 general election

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday withdrew a conditional permission for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to contest elections after he failed to appear in court. Musharraf had filed his nomination from the northern district of Chitral after the court last week allowed him to contest the July 25 general election but made it conditional on his appearance before it on June 13 in a case linked to his lifelong disqualification by the Peshawar High Court in 2013. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar yesterday rebuked the former army chief for "cowardice", taunting him for not appearing in court and had told him to appear by 2 pm today. During the hearing, his counsel Qamar Afzal informed the court that Musharraf, 74, was determined to return but it was not possible for him to come immediately. ''I have spoken to Musharraf, he asks for more time. He plans to come to Pakistan but due to Eid holidays and illness, he can't travel immediately,''&nbspAfzal said. It prompted the chief justice to adjourn the hearing for an indefinite period, saying the next hearing will be held when the petitioner was ready for it. Alright, we'll adjourn the court hearing till indefinite time period, will hold it on your wish,&nbspthe judge observed. But he ordered to withdraw the conditional permission for Musharraf to contest elections. Earlier today, Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) said on Twitter that preparations for his return were in the final stage. It was not clear why the plan was changed within hours after it was announced. Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016, and is wanted in several cases. He is facing a high-profile treason case and has been declared an absconder due to his persistent failure to appear before the special trial court set up to try him. The former president was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing an emergency in the country which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 other judges. A conviction for high-profile treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf has sought adequate security from the government for his return to appear in court in the treason case. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case. In April 2013, the Peshawar High Court had disqualified him for life, holding him ineligible to contest elections. It also dismissed his appeal against his disqualification.

Pakistan SC withdraws directive allowing Musharraf to file nomination papers after he fails to appear