Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Death Toll in School Mass Shooting Reaches 9, Chinese Man Gets 46 Years for Military Weapons, and More

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that the government will not allow anyone to undermine peace and public order, while reaffirming that citizens have the right to hold peaceful protests within the limits of the law. Speaking during a visit to the Frontier Corps (FC) Training Center in Shabqadar, Naqvi said peaceful demonstrations were a legitimate democratic right and would not be opposed as long as they remained lawful. However, he stressed that protests could not be used as a pretext for violence, vandalism or activities that threaten public safety and disrupt law and order. During the visit, the minister reviewed the training standards and operational preparedness of FC personnel stationed at the facility. He also received briefings on the security situation and challenges facing the region, along with measures being taken to protect citizens and maintain stability. Naqvi praised the Frontier Corps for its contribution to maintaining peace and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and acknowledged the role of its personnel in dealing with security challenges. The Interior Minister reiterated that maintaining peace and protecting public safety remained a priority, adding that lawful political and public activity would be respected while any attempt to disturb the peace would be dealt with according to the law.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has asked the federal government to explain the constitutional implications of keeping Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice on judicial appointments pending with President Asif Ali Zardari. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued notices to the president, the federal government and the attorney general on Monday while hearing a petition challenging the delay in approving appointments to the superior courts. The court also directed the respondents to submit separate concise reports detailing when the prime minister’s advice was sent to the president and what action had been taken on it. The case has been fixed for hearing on August 11. The petition was filed by lawyer Luqman Zafar through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry, who questioned the prolonged delay in completing the constitutional process for judicial appointments. The Judicial Commission of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, had recommended 19 additional judges and the confirmation of five judges for the high courts during meetings held on July 20 and 21. The recommendations were subsequently forwarded by the prime minister to President Zardari for approval under Article 48 of the Constitution. During Monday’s proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the use of the word “shall” in Article 48(1) placed a constitutional duty on the president to act on the prime minister’s advice. He maintained that although the president could return the advice for reconsideration within the prescribed period, the Constitution did not permit an indefinite delay. The counsel further argued that the delay was affecting the administration of justice at a time when the superior courts were already struggling with a growing backlog of cases. According to the petitioner, prolonged vacancies could also undermine the public’s constitutional right to timely access to justice. Justice Tahir directed that notices be served through all available modes. Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez was also asked to ensure that the respondents provide the court with clear timelines regarding the submission and handling of the judicial appointments summary. The presidential delay has already had consequences for the high courts. Four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court whose confirmation had been recommended by the Judicial Commission ceased to hold office on August 4 after their terms expired without formal notifications. A similar situation arose in the Sindh High Court, where an additional judge left office after his extended tenure ended on July 29. The oath-taking ceremony for the newly recommended judges had originally been scheduled for July 27 but was postponed indefinitely after the president neither approved the summary nor returned it for reconsideration. With the matter now coming under judicial scrutiny, the Islamabad High Court is set to examine whether the continued delay in acting on the prime minister’s advice is constitutionally permissible.