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• In letter to commission, Justice Afridi warns move will set ‘undesirable and potentially far-reaching precedent’
• Fears it will ‘erode public confidence’ in judiciary’s independence and stability
• Last year, he described transfer of three judges to IHC from different provinces under Article 200 as something to be ‘rejoiced’

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has opposed the scheduled meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) being called to consider the transfer of five judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to different high courts of the country.

Although the CJP had earlier declined to call the meeting of the JCP, he eventually scheduled the session after it was requisitioned by a two-thirds majority of the commission’s members, an informed source privy to the development confided.

The commission is scheduled to meet at 1pm on April 28, during which it may consider the contents of the CJP’s letter to the JCP in which he expressed his reservations as well as deliberate upon the transfer of five serving IHC judges to different provincial high courts.

In his letter, the CJP expressed concern that allowing transfers of sitting IHC judges would set an “undesirable and potentially far-reaching precedent, effectively normalising the treatment of judges as administratively interchangeable or disposable”.

Such an approach, the source stated while citing the CJP’s letter, would “carry serious implications for the institutional integrity of the judiciary”, thus “eroding public confidence” in its independence and stability.

Article 200 of the Constitution empowers the JCP to recommend transfers without the consent of the judges concerned. However, the consent of judges was mandatory before the 27th Constitution Amendment. The amended provision has now vested this authority in the JCP, where decisions are taken by majority vote, whether the CJP agrees or not.

It is believed that the judges under consideration for transfer include IHC’s senior puisne judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro.

‘Rejoiced’

In one of his interactions with the media on Feb 3, 2025, the CJP had supported the idea of transferring judges to the IHC, even tho­ugh he acknowledged reservations regarding the seniority principle.

At the time, the CJP described the transfer of three judges to the IHC from different provinces under Article 200 as something to be “rejoiced”, setting a precedent that should be followed in the fut­ure. “The IHC is the symbol of four federating units and not merely a white marble building,” the CJP had observed while sharing his reason why he agreed with the proposal to transfer three judges to the high court. He had also read out a summary stating that the transfer of the judges from different federating units was fully “synchronised with the spirit of federalism as enshrined in the Constitution”.

“It is also in conformity with Section 3 of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Act 2010… [there is] thoughtful consideration behind the proposal, [which] illustrates the resolve and equitable share to the linguistic diversity of our country and [a] fair chance of representation to all the federating units in the high court of the common capital of the federation i.e. [the] IHC,” the summary stated.

“Rejoice the fact that the IHC now has judges who are Balochi-speaking or Sindhi-speaking,” the CJP had emphasised, adding: “Had we had a judge from the tribal area in Peshawar, I would have asked to bring him to the IHC too.”

In his current letter to the JCP, the CJP is said to have stated that the proposed transfer of sitting judges out of the IHC would “in substance assume a punitive character” [and pave the way for] “an outcome that finds no sanction anywhere in the constitutional scheme governing the superior judiciary”.

“Besides, such transfer is entirely alien to the purpose of Article 200 of the Constitution and runs contrary to the foundational principles of judicial independence and security of tenure,” the CJP stated.

The CJP observed, the requisition for convening the JCP meeting for the purpose of transferring the IHC judges “could not be acceded to by the undersigned”. On June 19 last year, the SC’s Constitutional Bench, constituted under the 26th Constitutional Amendment, had, by a 3-2 majority, ruled that the transfer of three judges from provincial high courts to the IHC was in line with the Constitution.

Five IHC judges, the Karachi Bar Association, the IHC Bar Association and others had challenged the transfer of Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, Khadim Hussain Soomro and Muhammad Asif from the Lahore, Sindh and Balochistan high courts, respectively, before the SC.

The controversy revolved around the alteration of the IHC judges’ seniority list after these transfers, as Justice Dogar was made the senior puisne judge, paving the way for his appointment as IHC chief justice after Justice Aamer Farooq’s elevation to the SC.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2026

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The foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement on Thursday, rejecting any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The foreign ministers condemned the “repeated violations of the historic and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites by Israeli occupation authorities”.

They particularly deplored the continued incursions by Israeli settlers and “extremist ministers into Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif under Israeli police protection, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards”, the joint statement citing the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said.

“The ministers reiterated that these provocative actions at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and represent an unacceptable provocation to Muslims around the world, and a flagrant violation to the sanctity of the holy city,” the statement read.

It added that the foreign ministers reaffirmed their “categorical rejection of any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and stressed on its preservation while recognising the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard”.

They reiterated that the “entire area of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Sharif, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and to regulate entry thereto”.

The ministers further condemned the “accelerating illegal settlement activity, including Israel’s decision to approve over 30 new settlements, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice”.

They also condemned the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including recent attacks on Palestinian schools and children, and called for those responsible to be held accountable, the statement said.

It added that the ministers emphasised that Israel had “no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

“They categorically rejected any attempts to annex the occupied Palestinian territory or to displace the Palestinian people.

“The Ministers stressed that such actions constitute a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian state and on the implementation of the two-state solution, increase tensions, undermine peace efforts, and hinder ongoing initiatives aimed at de escalation and the restoration of stability,” the statement read.

It said the foreign ministers reiterated their call for the the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and compel Israel to halt its “dangerous escalation” in the occupied West Bank, and to put an end to its illegal practices.

“The ministers called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations. They also called on the international community to intensify all regional and international efforts to advance a political solution that achieves a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.”

The statement said they further reiterated their “unwavering support” for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and to realise the independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement came two days after the latest storming at Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers. The settlers forced their way into the site through the mosque’s Mughrabi Gate, under heavy police protection, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Videos circulating on social media showed occupiers performing Talmudic rituals and prayers aloud, including what is referred to as “epic prostration”, particularly in the eastern area of the compound.

Photos shared online also showed two occupiers raising the Israeli flag inside the compound, with the Dome of the Rock mosque visible behind them.

On April 6, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had also stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

Palestinian news agency Wafa quoted the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem as saying that the minister toured the mosque’s courtyards, entering through the Mughrabi Gate and proceeding to the Chain Gate before returning via the same route, amidst a heavy deployment of occupation police.

“He has stormed the mosque approximately 14 times since assuming his position in 2023, as part of an escalating policy towards the mosque,” the report said at the time.

Later, he again stormed the mosque on April 13 under heavy police deployment.

In March, Israeli police had prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday mass. Later, after widespread backlash, Israel said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem would regain access to Christianity’s holiest site.

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Navy Secretary John Phelan has been fired, a US official and a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, in another wartime shakeup at the Pentagon coming just weeks after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted the Army’s top general.

The Pentagon announced his departure in a brief statement, saying he was leaving the administration “effective immediately.” But it did not provide a reason or say whether it was his decision to go.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Phelan was dismissed in part because he was moving too slow to implement reforms to speed shipbuilding and because he had fallen out with key Pentagon leadership.

One source cited bad relationships with Hegseth, Hegseth’s deputy, Steve Feinberg, as well as the Navy’s No 2 civilian, Hung Cao, who the Pentagon said will now take over as acting Navy secretary.

The source also cited an ethics investigation into Phelan’s office.

A billionaire seen as having close ties to President Donald Trump, Phelan is the first administration-picked service secretary to be fired since Trump came back into office last year.

His departure fits within a broader context of upheaval at all levels of leadership at the Pentagon under Hegseth’s watch, including the firing last year of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General C Q Brown, as well as the chief of naval operations and Air Force vice chief of staff.

On April 2, Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Randy George without citing a reason. Two US officials said the decision was tied to tensions between Hegseth and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.

Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Phelan’s dismissal “troubling”.

“I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defence under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth,” Reed said.

The latest departure comes during a tense ceasefire with Iran, as the US flows more naval assets into the Middle East.

The US military is relying on naval assets to carry out a blockade of Iran, which President Donald Trump is hoping will pressure Tehran to negotiate an end to the conflict on his terms.

The Navy is under intense pressure to expand its fleet. China’s shipbuilding industry now dwarfs the US, which was once a global powerhouse.

Trump’s $1.5 trillion defence budget request for fiscal year 2027 includes over $65 billion to procure 18 warships and 16 support ships made by General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

It is part of what the Pentagon is calling the “Golden Fleet” initiative, which officials say is the largest shipbuilding request since 1962.

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LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted on Wednesday that he would not resign, claiming allegations of misleading MPs over his appointment of a party loyalist as UK envoy to Washington had been “put to bed”.

Starmer, facing pressure to resign, addressed MPs after firing the Foreign Ministry’s most senior official, Olly Robbins, blaming him for failing to disclose Mandelson’s clearance problems.

The premier spoke to lawmakers a day after the foreign ministry’s most senior official, Olly Rob­bins, gave evidence to a parliamentary committee, having been fired by Starmer over the affair last week. Starmer has accused Robbins of failing to tell him about problems that emerged during Mand­elson’s security clearance.

He has repeatedly insisted that, despite previously stating that “all due process” had been followed, he would not have allowed the appointment to proceed if he had known that independent vetting officials had recommended security clearance be denied.

Starmer told MPs that Robbins clearly answered “no” when asked if he had shared the recommendation “with me, number 10 or any other ministers”.

He said this clears all allegations of dishonesty against him, adding that although the opposition claimed it was shared with him, it was not. Mandelson was appointed to the top diplomatic post in December 2024.

The specific risks identified by vetting officials are unknown, but Robbins clarified they are unrelated to Mandelson’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein.

He alleged Downing Street pressured officials to approve the appointment, seemingly ignoring security concerns, with a demanding tone of “get it done”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned Starmer’s decision not to retract the appointment, despite other controversies.

Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s former top aide who resigned over his role in the crisis, is to appear before lawmakers on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2026

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Manchester City ended Arsenal’s six-month stay on the Premier League summit and condemned Burnley ​to relegation with a laboured 1-0 victory at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland’s clinical finish after five minutes could have ‌paved the way for a boost to City’s goal difference but they lacked a cutting edge as Burnley dug deep.

Haaland hit the post and had other chances as City tried to give themselves a safety margin but Pep Guardiola’s side had to make do with a surprisingly narrow victory.

After reeling Arsenal in they now lead the ​table on goals scored with both sides on 70 points from 33 games and with an identical goal difference of plus ​37.

For Scott Parker’s Burnley the inevitable has now become a reality as they are stuck on 20 points, 13 ⁠points behind the safety zone with only four games remaining.

“We played a really good game, unfortunately we missed a lot of chances. We defended ​better in the second half. Second half we had less problems,” Guardiola, whose side face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, told ​Sky Sports.

“It was such a demanding game on Sunday. It is not easy after three days but in the Premier League you have to adjust. We are used to doing it. We competed really well, we made a really good game but it’s a pity the chances we had.”

Burnley produce spirited play

City’s fans sang “we are top ​of the league” at the final whistle as their team hit the top but it was with a mixture of relief as they could ​never truly relax as Burnley betrayed their lowly status with a spirited display.

Arsenal have led the race since early October but have stalled in April and Haaland’s winner ‌in a ⁠2-1 victory against them at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday has given City the edge.

With the race so tight, however, they would have expected to sweep Burnley aside by a wider margin on Wednesday and given themselves the edge on goal difference.

It certainly looked that way at the start as Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka made a great save from Rayan Cherki before Haaland was played through and the Norwegian advanced before dinking a subtle left-footed finish past ​the keeper.

City had 10 goal attempts ​before the break although Burnley ⁠were a threat with Jaidon Anthony having an early shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma while Zian Flemming shot wide.

Antoine Semenyo poked a chance over the bar early in the second half and Haaland drifted a shot against ​the post as City strained for a second goal.

In the end it was a nervous finale as ​Burnley won a corner ⁠deep in stoppage time with Dubravka sent forward, but City avoided any stumble to take the points.

While they may have hit the top after stretching their unbeaten league run to 11, City will need to play better in a relatively tough run-in to win a fifth title in six seasons.

They also ⁠are at a ​disadvantage with Arsenal playing twice in the league before City’s next league game away ​at Everton.

For Burnley it is a second relegation in three seasons, having come up from the Championship with 100 points.

“I came here with a dream to keep this club up,” ​Burnley captain Kyle Walker, a multiple title winner with City, said. “Hopefully we can do the fans proud next season.”

Results for the Premier League on Wednesday

AFC Bournemouth (0) 2

Leeds United (0) 2

Burnley (0) 0

Manchester City (1) 1

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KARACHI: Interpol has issued a red notice for a fugitive Lyari gangster, Wasiullah Lakho, who is reportedly hiding abroad and wanted by Karachi police, South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza told Dawn on Wednesday.

A red notice is a request to law enforcement agencies by Interpol to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

DIG Raza said the Interpol secretariat in Lyon, France had issued the notice against Lakho on the request of Pakistani authorities.

According to the notice, seen by Dawn, Lakho had been involved in murders, extortion and assault on police in Karachi.

It said Lakho was wanted for prosecution in more than 60 cases of “heinous nature”. Among them, Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest in a 2014 case registered at Karachi’s Kalri police station under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of their duty), 324 (attempt to murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Elaborating on the case, the notice said a police party had reached Karachi’s Daryabad area upon receiving information that Lakho was present there along with his accomplices, who were associated with Lyari gang war, with the intention to commit a “heinous crime”.

Police cordoned off the area after reaching the site, the notice said, adding that Lakho and his accomplices opened fire on law enforcers with the intention to kill upon seeing them.

“Police also started firing in self-defence. Resultantly, one accused person, Abdul Jabbar, fell down … due to a bullet injury while other accused persons succeeded in escaping,” it read.

The notice said police arrested the injured suspect and found a TT pistol and ammunition in his possession.

It said that during interrogation, arrested suspect Abdul Jabbar named one of the suspects who had fled as Wasiullah Lakho.

Lakho “has fled to avoid arrest. Competent court of law has declared him a proclaimed offender and issued a perpetual warrant of arrest for him. The accused is wanted for prosecution”, the notice read.

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GILGIT: Over 650 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections scheduled for June 7 in 24 constituencies.

A total of 666 candidates have submitted their nomination papers; however, no woman candidate has filed nomination papers for the assembly elections.

According to a press release issued by the GB Election Commission Secretariat, polling for the general election will be held on June 7, while the election process is underway in all 24 constituencies.

The secretariat has convened a multi-party conference on Thursday (tomorrow) at the Election Commission Secretariat in Gilgit. The aim of the conference is to consult political parties to advance the election process in a fair, transparent and coordinated manner.

Nawaz says if elected, PML-N will focus on region’s development

The conference will discuss in detail the election process, code of conduct, mutual consultation, coordination in election matters and other related issues so that the conduct of elections can be made more effective and transparent in light of the opinions and suggestions of all political parties.

The GB Election Commission has requested all political parties to ensure their participation in the conference and provide their valuable opinions, suggestions and guidance regarding the conduct of the elections.

The commission has reiterated its commitment that all necessary measures will be taken to make the elections free, fair and transparent.

Nawaz vows GB development

Meanwhile, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed that, if elected, the party would focus on development in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He made the comments in a televised address to the PML-N’s parliamentary board for GB, where he highlighted past projects launched by the party in the region.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his younger brother, had the “same passion” for developing GB as he had, noting that the region had massive potential.

The former premier highlighted road projects “worth $60-$65 billion”, adding that “24-hour journeys were reduced to 10 hours”. He recalled facing criticism for having a tunnel constructed in Chitral as it was sparsely populated.

Referring to the initiatives undertaken by PM Shehbaz during his time as the Punjab chief minister, and now by his daughter Maryam, Nawaz Sharif told the party members: “You should copy it, and all these things should be launched in GB as well.”

The PML-N supremo said: “He [Shehbaz] launched numerous projects during his time. Look at him, find out about them. […] And now Maryam has taken the responsibility to take his work forward, so see what is happening there. You should copy it.”

In a message to all the PML-N candidates, Nawaz Sharif said: “When your candidates are elected, God-willing, they must have this in mind that they have been elected for service, not for fun.”

He said that if the party formed a government in GB, he would invite the regional leadership. He asserted that GB “is as dear to me as the rest of Pakistan is, and as Azad Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP are”. Noting that both the Centre and Punjab were active in development, he called on the rest of the provinces to do the same.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026

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