This week, for yet another time, a Supreme Court order expired at the gates of a prison. The administration overruled the Supreme Court’s bail orders for Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha late Thursday evening with a hitherto unknown FIR, reportedly carrying a terrorism charge inked in by hand.

The young couple are well-regarded in legal and rights circles. They were known for taking up cases few others would be willing to touch. That, precisely, is what seems to have irked some in the corridors of power, which led to the two being sentenced last January to 17 years in prison for posting ‘harmful’ content on social media.

They have remained in custody since then.

When the Supreme Court ordered their release on bail, the state swung into action. It discovered a case registered 18 months ago that had never been pursued or consolidated, and activated it hours before they were meant to be released. An Anti-Terrorism Court promptly remanded them to judicial custody.

The sequence of events leaves many questions unanswered. If such a serious terrorism case had been pending against the two lawyers, why was it not pursued for such a long period? And why was it not brought before the Supreme Court’s attention when the decision to allow bail was being made?

Furthermore, the new case pertains mainly to Pakistan Penal Code violations, and it seems the two were only brought before an ATC judge due to a terrorism charge added as an afterthought. The ATCs, which were created to prosecute violent terrorists, seem to have become a general-purpose tool for handling inconvenient people.

The rulers of the day should remember that precedents are being set. If every bail order can be neutralised with a dormant FIR, this tool will invariably be used against any citizen who falls afoul of the state.

The Supreme Court must also decide how far it is willing to allow itself to be subjected to external pressure. If the executive can do with a court order whatever it pleases without any consequence whatsoever, it also exposes the judiciary’s own unwillingness to enforce its writ.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026

The office of the AJK president has remained vacant since January this year following the death of Barrister Sultan Mahmood. Previously, then-Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar was serving as acting president. The role was then assumed by incumbent Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq after he was elected speaker on August 25.

Under the AJK Constitution, the president is elected by members of the Legislative Assembly by a majority of the total membership, in the manner prescribed by law.

The nomination papers were received by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, who is also the returning officer for the presidential election.

The PML-N has fielded 62-year-old former minister Dr Najeeb Naqi, whose nomination was proposed by senior PML-N leader and former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider and seconded by AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani.

Meanwhile, the PPP nominated 78-year-old Akbar for the office, with his nomination proposed by former minister Deevan Ali Khan Chughtai and seconded by fellow legislator Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi.

The PML-N hopeful arrived at the Election Commission office accompanied by his proposer and seconder, as well as several other PML-N legislators, including the party’s regional president, Shah Ghulam Qadir.

Haider and Gillani first posed for photographs with the nomination paper as they appeared to formally hand it over to the CEC.

Subsequently, several other PML-N legislators, including the party president and ministers, also posed with the same nomination paper, standing alongside the CEC and appearing to hand it over to him in a similar manner.

Akbar was also accompanied by several PPP legislators, who posed for photographs during the submission of his nomination papers.

Both nomination papers were declared valid after scrutiny.

Candidates may withdraw their nomination papers by 11:30am on Sept 23 (Wednesday), while polling will be held at the AJK Assembly Secretariat from 10am to 1pm on Sept 24 (Thursday), followed by the counting of votes and announcement of the result on the same day.

Last month, polls were held across the region for seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The elections in the region, originally scheduled for July 27, were divided into phases over security concerns amid unrest in the region. The first phase was held on July 27, the second on Aug 2 and the third on Aug 10.

The third phase was originally meant to cover all of Poonch Division, which comprises 11 constituencies, including three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch district and two in Sudhnoti district.

However, the AJK Election Commission announced that polling would only go ahead as scheduled in Bagh and Haveli because of concerns over the law and order situation.

In the direct elections to 38 constituencies, the PML-N secured 25 seats while the PPP won 12. The lone MLA-elect of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party also joined hands with the PML-N.

The PPP alleged widespread rigging in the polls, with the party also ramping up its criticism of the ruling PML-N.

On August 24, the PML-N bagged five seats while the PPP won two of the seven reserved seats that were up for grabs in the assembly. Newly elected members of the AJK Legislative Assembly were administered the oath of office by Akbar that same day.

Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram issued the directions in written orders on Sept 14 on two separate petitions filed by the families of Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir through Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi.

According to the petitions, Zaidi went missing from his residence in Sharjah on Sept 27, 2024, and was subsequently taken into custody by UAE authorities.

His wife, Faryal Zainab, told the court that despite nearly two years having passed, she had not been provided with clear information about the charges against her husband, the judicial proceedings, any sentence imposed on him or the complete court record.

In the second petition, Muhammad Ibrahim, Jahangir’s father, said his son was allegedly detained at Dubai airport on Sept 24, 2024, upon his return from Saudi Arabia.

The petitions challenged the alleged failure of the federal government and the Foreign Office to provide effective consular protection and legal assistance to the two men.

Barrister Niazi told the court that representations regarding the detention of both citizens had been submitted to the foreign secretary but had not been processed.

The petitioners sought legal and consular assistance for the two men, access to their judicial records and diplomatic steps for their return to Pakistan. They also sought a report on the steps taken by the state in the matter.

After examining the petitions and the documents attached to them, Justice Khurram directed the foreign secretary to process the representations concerning the detention of Zaidi and Jahangir in the UAE, if they were still pending, in accordance with the law and expeditiously.

The court directed that the representations be decided preferably within 15 days of receipt of a certified copy of its orders.

The judge disposed of both petitions with these directions.

He issued the directives while chairing a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review the implementation of the scheme, according to a statement issued by his office.

“Every fuel station which is open and operating” should be brought onto the system, while stations found permanently closed or dealing exclusively in diesel should be identified and removed from the list, the statement quoted him as saying.

The committee was informed that an overwhelming majority of fuel stations across the country were now operational on the system and that citizens were redeeming fuel tokens.

Registration is continuing nationwide via SMS to 9771.

The committee also approved the redemption of fuel tokens via SMS at stations in areas without internet connectivity. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and the provinces were asked to furnish lists of such stations so that they could be brought onto the scheme without delay.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) informed the committee that all payment claims received over the past three days had been settled in full, with claims received each day processed on the same day.

Dar appreciated the efforts of the provincial administrations and the cooperation extended by the SBP, stressing that “the relief must continue to reach the intended beneficiaries without hindrance”.

PM Shehbaz on Sep 13 announced a “relief scheme” for users of motorcycles, autos and vehicles of up to 800cc to “alleviate the burden” of rising global oil prices.

Under the scheme, owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, three-wheelers and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc will receive a Rs100 per litre relief on petrol.

On Friday, PM Shehbaz approved a revised structure for the public under the fuel relief scheme currently in vogue across the country, expanding it to include more two- and three-wheelers, and easing weekly limits to offer motorists more flexibility in how they use the support.

He directed that motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old should also be included in the scheme.

Renewed hostilities in the Middle East, which have resulted in disruption of major oil supply routes, have caused fuel prices to rise in the past two months.

In addition to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war, trade via Bab al-Mandab — which has become a vital route for Saudi oil exports in recent months — is also facing a rising threat from Houthi rebels.

The subsidy scheme faced snags on Thursday, the first day of its nationwide rollout, as many petrol pumps declined to honour the digital app, claiming they lacked the system needed to provide petrol at Rs100 per litre less.

Amid the fuel crisis, the federal government on Thursday also reintroduced austerity measures, including setting 9pm as the closing time for markets and reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

The government levies Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel. The JI has been staging regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and dozens of other locations across the country since August 16 to protest the levy.

“If the rulers cannot abolish the levy, we cannot call off our march,” Rehman said at a press conference in Mansoorah on the eve of the march, setting the stage for a potential standoff with the authorities.

The government, equipped with a recent Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling against activities that curtail the freedom of movement, is determined to prevent rallies from disrupting traffic and the normal flow of life in the federal capital.

Rehman promised peaceful protest and warned the government not to take any action against the protesters.

“A public rally will be held in Karachi on Saturday night, before the caravans set out for Islamabad on September 20,” he said.

The JI chief urged the government to present a concrete proposal for abolishing the petroleum levy, noting the party had already rejected the government’s fuel relief package as inadequate.

Under the government’s current relief scheme, eligible motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and cars up to 800cc are to receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre, subject to specified monthly limits.

Rehman said relief was not a favour but a right of the people, accusing the government of avoiding structural measures to reduce the burden on consumers, saying petroleum prices had a direct impact on the cost of essential commodities across the country.

He claimed that up to Rs107 per litre was being collected as petroleum levy on petrol, in addition to other taxes.

The JI chief criticised the government for failing to curb corruption and what he described as “excessive official expenditure”, saying officials should reduce their own spending instead of asking the people to make sacrifices.

To absorb the economic impact of renewed tensions in the Middle East, the government has reintroduced austerity measures, reducing fuel provision for official vehicles by 50 per cent for a period of three months.

Islamabad march

Rehman noted that the JI’s protest movement had entered its 35th day, with more than 25 sit-ins continuing across the country. He said the party had held peaceful demonstrations in 42 cities and claimed that the movement had now become a national issue.

“We are marching for the people with their support. There is no question of turning back,” he said, insisting that the number of sit-ins was being gradually reduced as part of the JI’s strategy for the Islamabad march.

The JI chief said the government had again contacted the party for talks, but repeatedly sought more time.

“If the government does not listen to talks, it will have to listen to public pressure,” he said.

On the PTI’s protest planned for September 27 for its incarcerated founder Imran Khan, Rehman said peaceful protest was a constitutional right of every political party and that containers should not be placed to block PTI demonstrations.

He said the JI supported the PTI’s right to peaceful protest, while the PTI had also supported the JI’s right to do so.

Economic policies criticised

On negotiations, Rehman said the government had repeatedly asked the JI to submit suggestions, although, he argued, it was the government’s responsibility to address public grievances.

He recalled that his party had already presented proposals during previous rounds of talks, but the government did not accept them.

Rehman also criticised the government’s economic policies, calling for a reduction in interest rates and questioning the State Bank of Pakistan’s autonomy. He argued that the government’s role in appointments to the central bank raised questions about its independence.

He further accused the government of using the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an excuse for withholding relief from the public while continuing what he described as lavish official expenditure.

Citing foreign travel by senior officials and expenses incurred at official meetings, the JI chief called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to sell her official aircraft, which he valued at Rs11 billion.

Turning to the sugar and wheat sectors, the party chief alleged that powerful groups and cartels were influencing government decisions on imports and exports, further alleging farmers were not receiving adequate prices for wheat and sugarcane, contributing to higher food prices.

He also criticised payments to independent power producers (IPPs), saying Rs1.8 trillion was being paid in capacity payments. He further questioned payments to regasification plants despite what he described as gas shortages.

JI Acting Secretary General Nazir Ahmad Janjua, Vice Emir Dr Usama Razi and Deputy Secretary Azhar Iqbal Hassan were also present at the press conference.

Talks between the government and JI began on September 7 after the two sides agreed to form committees, comprising experts and leaders, to discuss recommendations for reducing the petroleum levy and providing relief to the public.

On Friday, Rehman claimed the party’s protest movement aimed to press the government for immediate economic relief, asserting that the national exchequer could save between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion if the authorities adopted the party’s proposed fiscal reforms.

The PTI has called for a nationwide protest, including a “long march” to Islamabad, on September 27 to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and mobilise people for the supremacy of the Constitution.

The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, headed by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, assured the PTI of its support for the protest during a meeting on Friday.

In a post on X on Saturday, TTAP said the KP CM held an “important meeting” with Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. The alliance’s spokesperson, Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, was also present.

“Detailed political consultations regarding the call for September 27 were held during the meeting, and various aspects of the future course of action, political strategy, and advancing the democratic struggle in an effective manner were discussed,” the statement said.

The politicians consulted on taking forward the protest call as an “effective and organised political struggle for upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, democratic rights, provincial rights, and the protection of the public mandate”.

The trio had also met on Thursday, shortly after CM Afridi concluded his visit to Punjab, to discuss plans for the September 27 protest.

In response to a petition challenging the planned PTI gatherings, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) termed any activity resulting in infringement of citizens’ fundamental rights as a violation of the Constitution.

In his plea, citizen Waqas Ahmed had challenged the planned protest on the grounds that the protest could disrupt routine life, traffic and business activities in the federal capital.

Subsequently, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi affirmed on Friday that the government would stop anyone from marching towards the federal capital “in every possible way”.

He further warned of contempt of court proceedings against those who violated the IHC ruling.

The administrations of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had already begun preparations last week to counter the PTI’s announced march to the capital, including a request for the detention of activists, arranging containers, seeking additional personnel and procuring anti-riot gear.

As part of the PTI’s preparations, the KP CM toured Sindh and Punjab to mobilise supporters for the protest.

During his visit to the PML-N-led Punjab, Afridi not only alleged he was “abducted” by authorities in Lahore and later “thrown” by the roadside, but also claimed a man was sent to kill him.

The Punjab government had swiftly refuted the claims of arrest, while the Wazirabad police clarified that the man accused by Afridi was a police constable deployed on security duty for the KP CM.