Court orders airline to pay Rs 5.41 bln in 2010 plane crash compensation case

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:28 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Tuesday dismissed eight appeals filed by a private airline in civil compensation cases linked to a plane crash that occurred in the federal capital in 2010.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 on the airline for each appeal, amounting to a total penalty of Rs 8 million, and directed the company to pay compensation worth Rs 5.41 billion to the affected families.

The written verdict was issued by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr Rasool Bakhsh. The decision covered appeals filed by both the airline and the victims against an earlier ruling in the civil claims.

According to the judgment, the court ordered the airline to pay Rs143.189 million to Samira Naveed Chaudhry and two other claimants. Rashid Zulfiqar and four others were awarded Rs630.94 million. Muhammad Ilyas was granted Rs1,101.868 million, while Gohar Rehman was awarded Rs507.348 million. The court directed payment of Rs996.048 million to Junaid-ul-Zaman Hamid and Rs857.025 million to Muhammad Javed Khan. Salima Rajput was awarded Rs572.666 million, and retired Colonel Shamim Akhtar was granted Rs606 million as compensation.

The victims had filed appeals against the earlier decision of a civil judge, who had allowed compensation up to a limit of Rs10 million per person. The appellate court set aside that limit while deciding the appeals.

The court also noted that the airline had engaged in repeated litigation, which resulted in loss of judicial time. On this basis, the fines were imposed on the company.

Earlier, the victims’ appeals were heard by the Islamabad High Court. However, the high court later returned the cases to the sessions court, holding that the matters fell within the jurisdiction of the sessions judiciary.

LHC upholds dismissal of vocational institute director in workplace harassment case

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:27 PM

LAHORE, Dec 23 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the decision of the Provincial Ombudsperson Punjab, affirming the dismissal of the Director of Management at a Vocational Institute in a significant workplace harassment case.

Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh, while issuing a 17-page detailed judgment on the petition filed by Umar Shehzad, observed that women often refrain from immediately reporting harassment due to concerns over family honor, social pressure, and personal dignity. However, the court emphasized that such silence cannot be interpreted as consent, nor can it deprive women of their right to lodge a complaint.

The judgment clarified that workplace harassment is not limited to office premises. Any attempt by an officer to misuse authority to threaten a woman or coerce her into unlawful relations also constitutes harassment.

The complainant, a female teacher, alleged that the petitioner repeatedly made inappropriate advances, sent messages seeking illicit relations, and threatened to terminate her employment upon refusal. She further claimed that in September 2022, the petitioner visited her home and attempted sexual assault.

The petitioner argued that the incident did not occur at the workplace and that the complaint was motivated by personal animosity. However, the court rejected this defense, stating that the allegations fell under misuse of authority and that questioning the complainant’s character did not justify the petitioner’s conduct.

The court also dismissed objections regarding the jurisdiction of the Ombudsperson due to pending criminal proceedings, clarifying that the Punjab Ombudsperson handles disciplinary matters, which are separate from criminal cases.

Concluding the verdict, the LHC ruled that there was no legal flaw in the decisions of the Punjab Ombudsperson and the Governor, and dismissed the petitioner’s request for reinstatement.

Governor condoles death of senior journalist Salahuddin Ahmed

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:25 PM

PESHAWAR, Dec 23 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing of senior journalist and former Resident Editor of Daily Mashriq, Salahuddin Ahmed.

The Governor said that the late Salahuddin Ahmed rendered long and distinguished services to the field of journalism, and his professional contributions would always be remembered. He added that his demise is an irreparable loss for the journalistic community.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, particularly his sons Hussain Salahuddin (Advocate) and Mansoor Salahuddin. He prayed for patience and strength for the family to bear the loss and for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

The Governor also prayed that Almighty Allah grant the deceased a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and bestow fortitude upon the bereaved family in this difficult time.

Drug peddler sentenced to 9 years in prison in Taxila

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:25 PM

WAH CANTT, Dec 23 (APP): A special court for the Control of Narcotic Substances (CNS) in Taxila on Tuesday sentenced nine years’ imprisonment to an accused involved in a drug peddling case.

The accused, Abdul Hameed, was arrested by Wah Cantonment Police in August 2024 in the case registered under section 9-C of the Control of Narcotics Substance Act 1997 after the recovery of 1.40 kilograms of hashish from his custody. The judge, after hearing the arguments of defense and prosecution counsels, announced the verdict: the convicted was found guilty of selling drugs and subsequently awarded 9-year imprisonment and a fine worth Rs 80 thousand.

During the proceedings, the public prosecutor for the state argued that the accused was caught red-handed while smuggling the contraband and the evidence on record fully connected him with the commission of the offense. He maintained that the accused was charged for a heinous offense, and he did not deserve any leniency.

PRA chief reviews departmental restructuring

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:22 PM

LAHORE, Dec 23 (APP): Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) Chairman Moazzam Iqbal Sipra here Tuesday chaired an important meeting to review proposals related to departmental restructuring and the establishment of a Large Taxpayer Unit.

The Chairman directed that the Large Taxpayer Unit be made operational in January 2026. He further instructed that new units be constituted within the current month to enhance the performance and effectiveness of Enforcement Officers.

All Commissioners were directed to complete registration targets in 11 sectors including hotels and restaurants within the current month.

PRA Chairman also directed that warning notices be issued to tax-defaulter farmhouses and that businesses failing to obtain registration be sealed. He emphasized that collecting tax from the public and failing to deposit it into the government treasury constitutes a criminal offense.

The Chairman instructed that a daily comparative review of taxpayer growth, revenue collection and legal cases be carried out. He further directed that pending court cases be resolved on a priority basis and that reforms related to revenue collection be finalized at the earliest.

The meeting was attended by Member Support Services, Member Legal, Member Audit and other senior officers.

Police arrest 30 drug dealers, recover heavy quantity of narcotics in 24 hours

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:20 PM

LAHORE, Dec 23 (APP): Punjab Police have arrested 30 drug dealers, registered 30 cases and recovered 39 kilograms of charas, nine kilograms of heroin and one kilogram of ice during the last 24 hours.

A Punjab Police spokesperson said that over the past three weeks of the campaign, a total of 1,444 drug dealers have been arrested and 1,771 cases registered across the province. During this period, police recovered 2,142 kilograms of charas, 62 kilograms of ice, 266 kilograms of heroin and 25 kilograms of opium, while 13 drug dealers were sent to justice.

Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr Usman Anwar directed further intensification of operations against major drug dealers and smugglers, stressing that all individuals involved in the narcotics supply chain must be brought to justice and awarded strict punishment.

The IGP Punjab also ordered enhanced action against drug peddling in and around educational institutions and hostels, besides taking strict measures against those involved in the online sale and purchase of narcotics to protect the younger generation from the menace of drugs.

Court records cross-examination in controversial tweets case, hearing deferred to Jan 5

Asif Jalal

Tue, 23 Dec 2025, 10:20 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Tuesday continued proceedings in the controversial tweets case against Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, with cross-examination of prosecution witnesses taking place during the hearing.

The case is being heard by District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka.

During the hearing, Iman Mazari appeared in court along with her legal team. The court initially took a short break to allow time for cross-examination of witnesses. After proceedings resumed, the defense completed cross-examination of NCCIA process server Afzal.

During questioning, the witness stated that copies of his contract and service card were not available at present. He said he signs to receive official mail. Hadi Ali Chatha, who is also an advocate, pointed out that letters received on October 16, 2025, and October 20, 2025, did not mention the time of receipt. He further stated that the signatures made at the time of receipt did not match those of the witnesses.

Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka directed that Iman Mazari should also complete her cross-examination of the witness, noting that a witness cannot be called repeatedly. Hadi Ali Chatha informed the court that Mazari’s counsel was not present. The judge responded that both accused must complete cross-examination of one witness before moving to the next.

Iman Mazari told the court that her counsel, Faisal Siddiqi, would conduct the cross-examination. Later, she adopted the cross-examination already conducted by Hadi Ali Chatha and requested the court to record her objection that her lawyer was not given the opportunity to question the witness. The judge stated that her objection had been noted on record.

The court then proceeded with cross-examination of the second NCCIA witness, Waseem. The witness told the court that he has been working on contract with the Federal Investigation Agency for five years and has served with NCCIA since its formation. He said he did not have his NCCIA service card at the hearing and only carried his FIA card. He added that he had never appeared in court in uniform.

After a short break, the court allowed cross-examination of the third witness, technical expert Anees, presented by the prosecution. Cross-examination remained incomplete, and the court adjourned the hearing until January 5. On the next date, both accused will continue cross-examination of the technical expert.