Top News
Pakistan SC hears Sharif’s appeal against ouster (Lead)
Islamabad, Sep 13 (IANS) The Pakistan Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing an appeal by deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against his disqualification on grounds of dishonesty.
On July 28, Sharif had been disqualified by the country’s top court for not declaring income from his son, following investigations into the Panama Papers.
“Five judges of the Supreme Court today have begun hearings of the appeal presented by Sharif, his children and Finance Minister Ishaq Dhar,” judicial spokesperson Mohamed Ishtiaq told Efe.
The spokesperson said that one of the points in Sharif’s appeal was that two of the five judges that had issued the disqualification verdict had in an earlier sentence found him guilty.
“How can they disqualify him on two occasions on different grounds? This is the defence’s question,” said Ishtiaq.
Asif Saeed Khosa, who leads the five-judge bench in the appeal – the same five judges that disqualified him – argued that the content of the sentence was different but both reached the same conclusion, according to Dawn.
Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris claimed that the trial was not a fair one as his client did not get an opportunity to explain himself before the court.
At the same time, an anti corruption court on Wednesday issued a summons for Sharif and his children Hasan, Husain and Maryam to appear before it on Tuesday regarding three cases related to ownership of property at an exclusive zone in London; the creation of the firms Azizia Steel and Hill Metal; and the Flagship investment firm, as well as another 15 companies.
Besides disqualifying the three-time Prime Minister, the Supreme Court ordered the National Accountability Bureau, an anti-corruption body, to file cases against Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
On July 28, Sharif was dismissed by the Supreme Court and stepped down after a probe into the Panama papers scandal revealed he had not declared income received from a firm owned by his son in Dubai.
The Panama Papers revealed in April 2016 that three of his four children had set up offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands through which they owned property in London, leading the top court to order an investigation after a year of protests by the opposition.
–IANS
ahm/dg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.