Hearing adjourned in petition seeking PM’s disqualification

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday adjourned hearing into a writ petition seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A division bench of the Peshawar High Court comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard arguments in a writ petition. The petition was filed by a leader and candidate of the Pakistan Justice Democratic Party, Inamullah Khan. The counsel for the petitioner submitted reply in the court and said Prime Minister Imran Khan had not mentioned the assets of his spouse Bushra Bibi and daughter in the nomination papers for the last year’s elections, so he should be disqualified.

The counsel for the petitioner said the apex court had also declared former prime minister Nawaz Sharif disqualified for not mentioning his assets. Deputy Attorney General Habibullah Qureshi told the court that a verdict had been given in favour of the PM already in a similar case so it should be dismissed.

He added that the PM has also vacated his seat NA-35 from Bannu where by-polls have also been held. The court adjourned arguments in the case till the next hearing.

Dassu dam affectees to get Rs37b

By Our correspondent

MANSEHRA: The affectees of 4,300 megawatts Dassu Hydropower Project would get Rs37 billion for their land acquired for the mega energy scheme.

“This is a memorable moment for people of Dassu Hydropower Project as government has notified an increase in price of land acquired for Dassu Hydropower project,” Arif Khan Yousafzai, the deputy commissioner, told the 80-member committee of the affectees on Tuesday.

The Executive Council on National Economic Committee (Ecnec) had approved an increase in prices of land being acquired for the dam last month and Wapda following the suit formally notified the increase.

The affected families, who were jubilant over the notification, distributed sweets and greeted each other. They lauded efforts by district administration and project director of the project in this regard.

“This is a historic day in history of Kohistan as they struggled for their right and finally achieved the desired price of their land being acquired for that mega energy project,” a member of the committee of affected families told the jubilant crowed.