pbc rebukes minority
| |

PBC rebukes minority over political statements

The Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has rejected a statement issued by eight members of the council, saying their views represent their individual opinions and cannot be considered the collective position of the institution.

In a statement issued from Islamabad, the Vice Chairman said the Pakistan Bar Council has 23 members, while only eight members had issued the statement in question. He stressed that in a democratic institution, a minority cannot impose its position on the majority.

He said the views expressed by the eight members should therefore not be presented as the official stance of the Pakistan Bar Council. According to him, the council’s collective position can only be determined through its proper institutional process.

The Vice Chairman further said the Pakistan Bar Council must remain above political interests and personal agendas. He stressed that the institution should work to protect the independence of the legal profession and uphold the rule of law rather than become involved in political disputes.

He also warned against using platforms of the superior judiciary and bar associations for political purposes. He said legal institutions and professional forums should maintain their dignity and should not be turned into platforms for advancing individual or political interests.

The Vice Chairman said the Pakistan Bar Council strongly condemned the statements issued by the eight members and formally distanced itself from them. He made it clear that the statements did not represent the collective position of the council.

He also criticised a statement issued by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, describing it as condemnable. He maintained that statements issued by individual members or groups within bar bodies should not automatically be treated as the official position of the entire legal community.

The development comes amid growing debate within legal circles over the role of bar councils and associations in political and judicial matters.

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    Thailand school shooting, teen kills 8 in deadly r…

    BANGKOK: A 14-year-old boy killed at least eight people, including his grandparents, before taking his own life in a shooting rampage at a school outside Bangkok on Friday, police said, in Thailand’s deadliest mass killing since 2022. The teenager opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of Bangkok, after allegedly shooting his grandparents at their home. Police said the suspect was among those killed at the school. The attack left 15 people injured, with both students and teachers reported among the casualties. Emergency teams rushed to the school as frightened students streamed out of the building, many without shoes, while ambulances transported the wounded. Police said the teenager fired at least 26 rounds and had another 34 rounds of ammunition. Authorities said the weapon belonged to his grandfather. An 18-year-old student told Reuters he initially believed the loud noises were firecrackers or someone striking an object. He said the sounds stopped briefly before gunfire erupted again. Emergency worker Kiatikhun Verapongpradith said his team arrived while the shooting was still underway and treated students suffering injuries. He said teachers were also among those found injured or dead inside the school. The suspect was later found after apparently shooting himself, according to the emergency worker. He was taken to hospital, but authorities confirmed that he died. Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong said both teachers and students were among the casualties, while police identified the teenager as a student. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed sorrow over the incident, describing the shooting as a devastating event for the country. The attack is Thailand’s second school shooting this year. In February, a teacher was killed and a student injured in a shooting at a school in the southern part of the country. Thailand has experienced several deadly gun attacks in recent years. The country’s worst mass killing in recent history occurred in 2022, when a former police officer killed 36 people, including 22 children, during a rampage at a daycare centre in northeastern Thailand. A separate 2023 shooting at a Bangkok shopping centre, carried out by another 14-year-old, killed two people and injured five others. Following that attack, authorities introduced several gun-control measures, including restrictions on new firearm licences and tighter rules concerning access to shooting ranges by people under 20. Thailand has one of Southeast Asia’s highest rates of civilian gun ownership. A Small Arms Survey estimate from 2017 put the number of privately held firearms in the country at around 10.3 million. Friday’s tragedy is expected to renew debate over firearm access, school safety and measures aimed at preventing young people from obtaining weapons.

  • | | |

    Iran executesan accused of helping US, Israel duri…

    TEHRAN: Iran has executed a man accused of supporting the United States and Israel during the country’s January anti-government protests, adding to growing international concern over Tehran’s use of capital punishment against people linked to the unrest. Iranian judicial authorities identified the man as Majid Adineh, saying he was arrested during the protests and accused of involvement in activities carried out in support of groups considered hostile to Iran. According to the judiciary, Adineh was accused of deliberately committing arson, participating in gatherings aimed at undermining national security and conspiring against the state. Authorities also alleged that he had worked with opposition groups linked to the United States and Israel. Iran’s judiciary said the Revolutionary Court in Karaj convicted him after considering documents, evidence and statements attributed to the defendant. The court also ordered the confiscation of his property. The allegations could not be independently verified, and the account published by Iranian authorities did not include comments from Adineh’s lawyer or family. The execution comes amid an increasingly severe crackdown following nationwide protests that began in late December and expanded across Iran in January. The demonstrations were initially fuelled by economic grievances but quickly developed into broader anti-government protests. Iranian authorities have repeatedly described some protesters as agents or operatives working for foreign enemies, while rights organisations have challenged the fairness of several cases brought against demonstrators. The latest execution also follows a broader increase in executions connected to the unrest. The UN human rights chief said earlier this month that Iran had executed at least 56 people on national-security-related charges since March 19, including 27 people linked to the anti-government protests. Human rights organisations have warned that dozens of other protesters remain at risk of execution. Amnesty International said in July that at least 60 people, including some who were children when arrested, were at risk after receiving death sentences connected to the protests. The UN’s Iran fact-finding mission has also urged Tehran to halt executions linked to the protests, expressing concern over accelerated proceedings and allegations surrounding the fairness of trials. Iran, however, maintains that its courts are dealing with serious national-security offences and that capital punishment is lawful. The executions have intensified debate over the government’s response to dissent. While officials portray the cases as necessary measures against threats to national security, rights groups argue that protesters and political dissidents are being subjected to harsh sentences after proceedings that fail to meet international fair-trial standards. With further cases reportedly moving through Iran’s Revolutionary Courts, the execution of Adineh is likely to renew scrutiny of Tehran’s treatment of those accused of involvement in the January protests.

  • |

    Mustafa Kamal calls for more administrative units

    MULTAN:Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has once again called for the creation of additional administrative units in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing governance structure is no longer capable of effectively addressing its growing challenges. Speaking at a ceremony in Multan, Kamal said Pakistan currently operates through a federal government and four provinces, but the system needs major restructuring to improve governance and service delivery. He said Pakistan is larger than around 180 countries in terms of population and administrative needs, making it necessary to consider creating more administrative units to ensure better management and development. Reflecting on his political career, Kamal said he became Karachi’s mayor 21 years ago and was elected as a member of the provincial assembly 12 years ago. He added that political leaders often remain caught up in a continuous race without fully understanding whether the existing system is delivering the desired results. The federal minister also focused on the country’s healthcare challenges, saying that simply constructing more hospitals would not solve Pakistan’s health crisis. He pointed out that hospitals across the country remain overcrowded, while the government must focus more on preventive healthcare and improving public health infrastructure. Kamal said effective healthcare begins with measures such as ensuring adequate gaps between births and completing childhood vaccination schedules. He warned that a large number of children remain vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to inadequate sanitation and unsafe water supplies. He also highlighted the lack of an effective sewage treatment system in Pakistan, saying poor sanitation continues to contribute to the spread of preventable diseases. He stressed the need to address the root causes of health problems instead of relying solely on hospitals and medicines after people fall ill. Discussing population growth and maternal health, Kamal said Pakistan’s birth rate stands at around 3.5 percent, while the population growth rate is approximately 2.5 percent. He claimed that around 11,000 mothers die every year in the country, describing the situation as a serious public health concern. The minister said Pakistan also faces a major shortage of trained nurses. According to him, the country needs around 900,000 nurses, while international demand for Pakistani-trained nursing professionals could reach 2.5 million. He said the government should focus on developing professional skills so that trained workers can contribute to the national economy and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country. Kamal also addressed concerns surrounding medicine prices and availability. He clarified that the federal health minister alone does not have the authority to decide whether medicine prices should increase or decrease. He said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has deregulated the prices of certain medicines, while decisions regarding price reductions fall within the broader domain of the federal cabinet. He added that a cabinet committee is currently examining the issue of reducing medicine prices. The minister further pointed out that although Pakistan manufactures a large number of medicines locally, the pharmaceutical industry still relies heavily on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). He said shortages of some medicines have also created difficulties for patients, with certain drugs disappearing from the regular market and becoming available through agents at significantly higher prices. Kamal’s remarks came a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also called for the creation of new administrative units, describing such reforms as essential for the country’s development. Addressing an event in Islamabad, Naqvi reportedly said the existing system had failed to deliver effectively and argued that new administrative units or provinces could provide a way forward. The repeated calls from senior federal ministers for additional administrative units have renewed debate over whether Pakistan needs a major restructuring of its administrative and governance framework to improve public service delivery, strengthen local administration and address the growing demands of its expanding population.

  • | |

    Rain emergency declared in Rawalpindi and Islamaba…

    RAWALPINDI: A rain emergency has been declared in Rawalpindi and Islamabad after heavy rainfall hit the twin cities. The authorities have stepped up preparations to deal with any possible emergency. Teams and heavy machinery have been deployed in several low-lying areas. According to the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), water levels in Nullah Lai have increased following the rainfall. The water flow at Kattarian has reached 10.5 feet. At Gawalmandi, the level has been recorded at 8.5 feet. Officials are closely monitoring the situation along Nullah Lai. Emergency teams have been placed on alert to respond quickly if water levels rise further. Shamsabad recorded the highest rainfall in Rawalpindi. Around 116 millimetres of rain was recorded in the area. The heavy downpour has raised concerns about urban flooding in vulnerable parts of the city. WASA staff have been deployed in low-lying areas to manage the situation. Heavy machinery has also been positioned at several key locations. These include Liaquat Bagh, the Committee Chowk Underpass and low-lying areas along Murree Road. Equipment has also been deployed in Dhok Khaba, Circular Road and Sadiqabad. Officials said the deployment of machinery would help clear rainwater and keep important roads accessible. Emergency personnel are also monitoring areas that are vulnerable to water accumulation. The authorities have urged relevant departments to remain alert as further rainfall could increase pressure on the city’s drainage system. WASA teams are continuing to monitor Nullah Lai and other vulnerable points. Officials said immediate action would be taken if water levels rise or flooding occurs.

  • | |

    Zoe Saldaña reveals plans to step behind the came…

      Zoe Saldaña has built an impressive career in Hollywood, achieving milestones that only a small number of actors can claim. From becoming an Academy Award winner to appearing in some of the world’s most successful film franchises, the actress has established herself as one of the industry’s most recognisable stars. However, Saldaña now appears ready to explore a completely different side of filmmaking by considering a move into directing. During an appearance at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Saldaña spoke about her desire to eventually take control behind the camera. Addressing the festival audience, the actress said she believed there would come a point when simply watching other directors work would no longer be enough for her. Saldaña joked that after observing directors for so long, she might eventually feel compelled to take over the camera herself. Her comments reflected her growing interest in expanding her creative role within the film industry and exploring storytelling from a director’s perspective. The actress also expressed confidence in her own instincts, particularly when discussing women and their ability to recognise what they believe is right. With a humorous tone, she suggested that women often feel confident in their opinions because they are correct a significant amount of the time. For Saldaña, directing could provide an opportunity to test those instincts and prove what she can accomplish outside her established acting career. Her remarks came as she was being honoured at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. Saldaña received a Special Honorary Pardo at the event, recognising her contribution to cinema and her successful career across a wide range of projects. During her appearance, the actress also reflected on her childhood and the experience of growing up between different cultures. Born in the Dominican Republic, Saldaña said her background and experiences of feeling like an outsider have played an important role in shaping the way she approaches acting and develops her characters. She recalled the challenges of being separated from a New York environment where she had been exposed to people from different backgrounds and cultures. According to Saldaña, living in a diverse environment allowed her to encounter different perspectives and understand the world beyond a single cultural identity. She later moved to a much smaller and more culturally homogeneous island, an experience she described as difficult during her formative years. The transition brought significant challenges, particularly because she encountered a society with a more unified religious and cultural identity. Despite the difficulties, Saldaña believes those experiences ultimately became valuable to her as an actor. She explained that the challenges of growing up between different cultural environments helped her develop a broader understanding of people and identities. That perspective, she suggested, became particularly useful when portraying some of her most famous characters, including Neytiri in the Avatar franchise and Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. For Saldaña, growing up between cultures provided both struggles and opportunities for personal development. She believes being exposed to different ways of life enriched her understanding of human experiences and gave her additional emotional depth as a performer. Now, after years of success in front of the camera, Saldaña appears interested in turning those experiences into a new creative challenge. Her potential move into directing could mark an important new chapter in her career, allowing her to bring her perspective, cultural experiences and storytelling instincts to filmmaking from behind the camera.

  • Chula, Thai Red Cross Society Partner to Bring ‘SALYWA’ Artificial Saliva to Patients 

    Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Thai Red Cross Society and Specialty Innovation Co., Ltd., held a press conference announcing the licensing agreement for research utilization and the launch of “SALYWA”, an artificial saliva product made from Thai herbal extracts. The product is designed to relieve dry mouth and reduced saliva production, particularly among cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy and elderly individuals. The initiative aims to bring […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *