Islamabad High Court strikes down deputy commissioner’s powers
EXPRESS TRIBUNE: The Islamabad High Court has ruled that that the federal capital’s deputy commissioner, who also acts as the the city’s district magistrate, does not have the legal authority to issue detention orders under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order. (Lawyer: M. Usama Rauf)
Pakistan succeeds in al-Tuwairqi arbitration
FIRM: We are pleased to announce that Pakistan has won the $500m international arbitration initiated by Al Tuwairqi Group of Companies' Al Ittefaq Steel Production Company at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. (Lawyers: Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Asad Rahim Khan, M. Usama Rauf, Mahum Shahzad Laun)
The future status of Gilgit-Baltistan
NATION: [The Gilgit-Baltistan reforms committee was tasked] to “(i) review the current constitutional and administrative status of GB and analyse any shortcomings. (ii) examine if the existing boundaries of GB overlap with the territories that formed part of the pre-independence state of Jammu and Kashmir. (iii) Recommend constitutional and administrative reforms keeping in view the UN resolutions on Kashmir. (Lawyer: Ashtar Ausaf Ali)
Pakistan seeks to reform int’l investment regime
EXPRESS TRIBUNE: The Prime Minister of Pakistan has approved the formation of a working group of experts for reforming Pakistan’s international investment regime. The group is to “conduct analysis through intellectual input and undertake original research’ for the Strategic Policy Planning Cell,” according to a notification to be published in the Gazette of Pakistan. (Lawyer: Asad Rahim Khan)
SC spots bias in NAB handling of political case
DAWN: “The present case is a classic example of trampling of fundamental rights, unlawful deprivation of freedom, and liberty and the complete disregard for human dignity as guaranteed by the Constitution,” wrote Justice Maqbool Baqar in an 87-page strongly worded detailed verdict in the Paragon City (Pvt) Ltd case. (Lawyer: Ashtar Ausaf Ali)