Pakistan’s Supreme Court announces detention of “missing persons” to be illegal; Chief Justice calls on government to produce remaining missing persons within seven days; U.S. Defense Secretary warns leaders in Pakistan that border protests could affect U.S. aid to Pakistan; Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline back on track for construction, say officials; JuD announces that it will hold anti-drone protests in Multan; Deobandi seminary issues fatwa in favor of polio vaccination; Army chief visits LoC in Kashmir.
Missing Persons
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On Tuesday, a three-member bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court announced its final verdict in the case of the missing persons, declaring that the detention of thirty-five people illegal.[1]
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On Tuesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhy ordered that the federal government produce the remaining thirty-five missing persons within seven days and take action against the persons involved in the unlawful detention of Pakistani citizens. Only seven of the thirty-five persons who had been unlawfully detained at the Malakand detention center have been presented.[2]
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On Monday, Pakistan’s Attorney General, Munir A Malik, requested that the Supreme Court refrain from rendering a judgment that could negatively affect military operations in Pakistan’s “war theater,” or prevent authorities from holding suspects. The Attorney General’s comments triggered a debate among the three-member bench of the Supreme Court as to whether the army has the constitutional or legal authority to detain citizens. Chief Justice Chaudhry, however, questioned how enforced disappearances are allowed under the law and has sought details of all missing persons’ cases currently pending in the courts. The Supreme Court has adjourned the case until Tuesday, December 10.[3]
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On Monday, Chief Justice Chaudhry stated that the issue of missing persons will continue after his retirement, alluding to a broader issue regarding the treatment of civilians that Pakistan will have to address. Chaudhry noted that there is currently no law that allows enforced disappearances.[4]
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Chief Justice Chaudhry has also directed the Attorney General to ensure that the person commanding the Frontier Corps in Balochistan appear before the court on behalf of the Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, Balochistan, who is currently being treated in hospital.[5]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned leaders in Pakistan that if they did not resolve the protests inK-P, it would be difficult for the U.S. to maintain support for an aid program that provides Pakistan over a billion dollars each year. The main supply line through the Torkham pass has been blocked by Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protestors since November 24. Last week, the U.S. stopped shipments through Torkham due to fears for the safety of the truck drivers. In response, Pakistani leaders offered their assurances that they would take “immediate action” to resolve the shipment issue. Regarding the drone issue, Prime Minister Sharif expressed his concern over the drone strikes, which Sharif called “counter-productive” to Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism. The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations and advance the interest of a stable region. [6]
Iran-Pakistan Relations
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On Monday, the Iranian and Pakistani petroleum Ministers met in Tehran to discuss reviving the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. On Tuesday, both sides announced that construction of the pipeline will be moving forward. The Pakistani Foreign Office said that the pipeline is going to be built, and that another meeting will occur soon to discuss ways to accelerate construction. On Monday, the Vice Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council, Mohammad Hassan Abu Turabi, said that Iran is committed to completing the pipeline.[7]
Anti-NATO Protests
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According to a Tuesday report in The News, Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD), the political arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is planning protests in Southern Punjab, centered on Multan, against American drone strikes and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) supply lines that run through the country.[8
Domestic
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On Monday, the Darul Uloom Haqqania, a Deobandi religious seminary in Nowshera distict Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, issued a fatwa supporting vaccines against polio. The seminary is run by Sami-ul-Haq, who is the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S).[9]
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On Tuesday, army chief General Raheel Sharif visited the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, where he was briefed on the situation there. He also visited troops stationed along the LoC.[10]
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On Tuesday, Lahore police and the administration of Punjab University arrested fifteen illegal occupants during an operation conducted at the university in Lahore. According to a university spokesperson, four of the illegal occupants were arrested from Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) officer Azeem Khushi’s room. In response to the raid, IJT activists protested violently, damaging public transportation and causing traffic jams on Lahore’s main roads.[11]