The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the plea of a medical student, Khadija Gohar, to combine two separate trials against her for allegedly making a video of the incident and for the act of sexual harassment. In a written verdict, Justice Ijazul Ahsan of the Supreme Court stated that the two incidents are distinct crimes and should be tried separately. The court also ruled that it was within the discretion of the trial court to decide whether to combine the two trials, but it was not mandatory under the law.
The Supreme Court further directed that the accused be provided with a chair in the witness box, as there was no provision in the law that required the witness to stand during their testimony. The court also clarified that the trial judge should act as a vigilant guardian during the examination of witnesses and ensure that they are not harassed or humiliated.
The medical student had filed two separate cases – one for the alleged video recording of the incident and the other for the act of sexual harassment. The cases were being tried in separate courts, and the student had sought to have them combined.
The development comes as tensions continue to escalate between Iran and the United States, with the Iranian parliament speaker claiming that a US aircraft carrier had fled the region. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has also stated that some countries have begun to make efforts to mediate the crisis.
Meanwhile, the global price of crude oil has surged by nearly 9% following the US failure to unlock the Strait of Hormuz. The Khaleej Airlines has suspended its flights until March 19 in response to the tensions.
In related news, the UK has offered to pay £100,000 to 150 families to leave the country voluntarily. The move has been criticized by tax payers in the UK, who have accused the government of treating them unfairly.
The Supreme Court’s decision has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many users expressing their outrage and disappointment. The case has also highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the country’s laws and procedures to ensure that victims of sexual harassment receive justice and support.
The development comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the recent protests and violence in Karachi, which left 11 people dead and over 30 injured. An investigation has been launched into the incident, which was sparked by a mob attack on the US consulate.
In other news, the Pakistan Army has continued its operations against the Taliban in the Kurram region, with reports suggesting that several militants have been killed or arrested.
The government has also announced plans to establish “Anti-Drone Units” in all districts of Punjab province to counter the growing threat of drones. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also decided to launch a train service in the Peshawar valley with the support of the federal government.
The police have been put on high alert in Punjab for the third Friday of Ramadan, with over 83,000 police personnel deployed to maintain law and order. A teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of a taxi driver, and his accomplices are being sought by the police.
In a related development, the Russian government has announced that it will provide military equipment to Iran, in a move seen as a response to the growing tensions in the region.
