Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Royal Pardon On Queen’s Birthday

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has defended the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman and Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) after a video of the two officials arriving at an Independence Day event in a horse-drawn carriage triggered criticism on social media. CDA Chairman retired Lt Sohail Ashraf and Islamabad IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi were seen arriving at the parade in the carriage. The video showed event organisers asking the audience to applaud as the officials arrived, but little response could be heard from the crowd. The footage quickly spread online, with several social media users describing the scene as outdated and comparing it with practices associated with the colonial era. Naqvi later issued a clarification, saying the officials should not be blamed for using the carriage. According to the interior minister, the chief guest and he were delayed because of a meeting between the president and prime minister. He said people had been waiting at the venue since 5pm. When it became clear that the senior officials would arrive late, instructions were given to start the programme so that citizens would not have to wait any longer. Naqvi explained that the horse carriage had originally been arranged for the chief guest. However, due to the delay, it was used by the CDA chairman and Islamabad police chief to proceed with the programme. The minister also said both officers had initially been reluctant to begin the event in the absence of the chief guest and himself. He maintained that they proceeded only after receiving specific instructions. Despite the explanation, criticism continued online. Former federal minister Shireen Mazari shared the video and questioned the decision, while digital rights activist Usama Khilji criticised what he described as behaviour inappropriate for senior government officials. Several journalists and public figures also reacted strongly to the footage. Journalist Farzana Ali questioned the appropriateness of such a display at a time when ordinary citizens are facing economic difficulties. Journalist Zarrar Khuhro described the scene as embarrassing, while researcher Ammar Rashid criticised what he viewed as the growing distance between government officials and the public. Former Pemra chairman Absar Alam also condemned the incident, calling it an example of an outdated bureaucratic mindset. Former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair drew a comparison with the recent visit of Norway’s foreign minister to Islamabad. He highlighted footage showing the foreign minister handling his own luggage at the airport and contrasted it with the behaviour shown in the Islamabad parade video

Eight members of the Pakistan Bar Council have criticised the federal government over what they described as a deliberate failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s order regarding the medical treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the lawyers said the Supreme Court’s August 18 directive was clear and binding. They alleged that the executive had disregarded the order by not transferring Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital as directed. The statement was signed by PBC members including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Abid Shahid Zuberi, Muhammad Maqsood Buttar, Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Munir Ahmed Kakar, Abdul Sattar Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Qazi Muhammad Arshad. The members argued that the executive does not have the authority to ignore a binding judicial order. They said such conduct could undermine the authority of the judiciary, weaken the rule of law and damage the constitutional system of checks and balances. They also expressed concern that ignoring a court order could put fundamental rights at risk. According to the statement, judicial orders provide an important constitutional safeguard against arbitrary actions by state institutions. The lawyers further pointed out that the Supreme Court had already addressed the consequences of non-compliance in its August 18 order. They maintained that the government was aware of its obligations under the ruling. The PBC members also rejected the argument that filing a review petition could suspend the Supreme Court’s directive. They said a review petition does not automatically stop the implementation of an existing court order. They called for those responsible for the alleged violation to be identified and for appropriate legal proceedings to be initiated against them. The statement also raised questions about the impact of recent constitutional amendments on the judiciary and the rule of law. The lawyers argued that no constitutional amendment, political consideration or executive decision could provide legal protection for ignoring a binding Supreme Court order. They further questioned whether the constitutional rights to life, health, dignity and medical treatment were being applied equally to political leaders. The controversy follows the Supreme Court’s August 18 interim order directing authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital within two days. The court had ordered his examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board. The bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, was hearing petitions seeking hospitalisation, access to personal doctors and family members, and access to Imran’s medical records. The court had also directed that Dr Uzma Khan and Dr Faisal Sultan, Imran’s personal physician, be present during the medical examination. The government subsequently challenged the hospital-transfer order through a review petition. However, the Supreme Court returned the petition after raising objections over the preparation of the documents and the accompanying paper book. Security arrangements were later made around Shifa International Hospital, creating expectations that Imran would be shifted there. However, authorities subsequently took him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a medical examination before returning him to prison. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the decision was linked to security concerns allegedly created by PTI workers near the hospital. The Pims administration later said specialists from Shifa International Hospital had participated in Imran’s eye assessment, while other examinations were conducted by Pims specialists. The medical issue has been under discussion since Imran was diagnosed with right central retinal vein occlusion, an eye condition, earlier this year.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will arrive in Pakistan on July 28 for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the Kuwaiti foreign minister will stay in Pakistan until July 29. The visit has been arranged at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During his visit, Sheikh Jarrah will hold detailed discussions with Ishaq Dar on matters concerning Pakistan-Kuwait relations. The two sides are expected to review a wide range of bilateral issues and explore opportunities to further improve cooperation in different areas. The discussions will also cover important regional and international developments. Pakistan and Kuwait are expected to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, particularly those affecting peace, stability and security in the region. The Kuwaiti foreign minister is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Pakistan’s leadership during his stay. The Foreign Office said the visit reflected the commitment of both countries to further strengthen their longstanding partnership. It also highlighted the desire of Pakistan and Kuwait to broaden cooperation for the mutual benefit of their people. The visit comes shortly after a telephone conversation between Ishaq Dar and his Kuwaiti counterpart on July 18. During that discussion, Sheikh Jarrah appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in encouraging dialogue and supporting regional stability. The upcoming visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to build on those discussions and develop closer diplomatic and economic ties. Pakistan and Kuwait have maintained longstanding friendly relations, with cooperation extending across diplomatic, economic and other areas. Islamabad has consistently sought to strengthen engagement with Gulf countries, while Kuwait has remained an important partner for Pakistan in the region. The two-day visit is therefore expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral engagement and encourage further cooperation on matters of shared interest.