Govt forms committee to probe treason proceedings against PTI leaders

Following the Supreme Court’s (SC) detailed judgment in the Qasim Suri case, released a day earlier, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb informed on Friday that the federal cabinet had constituted a committee to look into the matter.

The minister was briefing the media in Islamabad after a federal cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The SC had on July 14 observed that the former deputy speaker of the National Assembly in his ruling to dismiss the no-trust resolution against former prime minister Imran Khan failed to substantiate that regime was changed on account of a foreign country's interference, emphasising the move was “jurisdictional excess” taken without any lawful authority.

“The federal cabinet hailed the decision,” Marriyum Aurangzeb told the media today.

She said that a resolution was passed in the cabinet meeting “to stop attacks on the parliament, Constitution and democracy forever”. A committee was also formed today, she said, that will propose measures in light of the court’s decision in the next meeting.

Read SC judges urge parliament to initiate Article 6 against Imran, President Alvi, others

The special committee will be headed by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and will include representatives of the interior and information ministries as well as federal ministers and all allied parties.

In response to a question on who will be prosecuted under Article 6 [high treason], Marriyum Aurangzeb said that “the court's decision is clear in which it is mentioned that the speaker, deputy speaker, president, prime minister disrespected their constitutional duties”.

“The cabinet has decided that the committee will make a proposal to end this unconstitutional violation and the cabinet will approve it,” she said.

Responding to questions concerning fears of political persecution, the information minister added that “we are not Imran Khan’s government. An independent inquiry commission will be formed to oversee the matter".

She also added that she “wished not to comment on the matter prematurely”, but the process will remain transparent.

Tayyaba Gul case

The information minister further claimed that Tayyaba Gul had filed a complaint on the prime minister’s portal – a pet project of the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government – after being sexually harassed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and other top officials.

The minister said that Gul had claimed she was informed that following her complaint the case had been forwarded to the Ministry of Human Rights, and was later contacted by the PM Office. "She was abducted and allegedly kept captive in the PM House for 18 days," the information minister said.

Marriyun also claimed that the evidence Gul had was usurped from the alleged sexual harassment and abuse victim which was then used to blackmail the then NAB chairman, Javed Iqbal, for political gains.

Not only was a “harassment victim further exploited” said the minister, but also “an entire institution was compromised” by the former premier.

Taking a dig at Imran Khan’s controversial opinion on rape, Murriyum said “the man who used to say women are raped because they don’t dress appropriately did this” to a victim of abuse.

She further added that an independent inquiry commission is to be formed to probe into the matter under the Commission of Inquiries Act, 2017 under the supervision of Law Minister Azam Tarar who will finalise the terms of reference and panel list for the commission in conjunction with the cabinet. She also said that the Commission on Enforced Disappearances was also plagued by various similar complaints from women, and would also be made a part of the committee.

She also revealed that the commission would be “time-bound” but further details were still to be finalized.

Monsoon floods

The minister said all relevant agencies, including the armed forces, police, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the Provincial Disaster Managment Authority were lauded for their continuing efforts, and ordered to remain vigilant. The cabinet approved preemptive security measures to protect people.

Read more Govt to file Article 6 case against PTI leadership

PM Shehbaz also ordered a relief package to be dispatched immediately to the affectees after NDMA, provincial authorities’ survey is completed.

Fuel prices and IMF agreement

The information minister said that following the reduction in petroleum products prices in the international market, the government had ordered strict monitoring of reduction in public transport fares on federal, provincial and local levels.

Blaming the country’s economic woes on the previous PTI government, the minister said that an agreement had been reached with the IMF after tough negotiations and particularly the efforts of Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, adding that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and their respective teams were praiseworthy.

“The government’s resolve is clear,” she said, “the country can emerge out of economic crisis only through self-reliance and stability”.

She also revealed that the cabinet had approved an import of three million ton of wheat, but agreements will be made taking advantage of the global fall in prices, and under tight monitoring and transparent process.

Speaking about the ban on luxury import items, the minister said the items that reached Pakistan’s ports within two weeks after the ban was imposed will be released with an additional 5% duty, while those reaching after the two-week cap will be released into the market with 15% duty.