KARACHI (HRNW): An Additional District and Sessions Judge (West) has dismissed a petition seeking the registration of criminal cases against several high-profile international leaders, including Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Narendra Modi, and Hibatullah Akhundzada. The court declared the application “non-maintainable” after reviewing arguments from the petitioner and a report from the local police.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Jaffer Abbas Jafri Advocate, argued that the Docks Police Station had repeatedly refused to entertain their request for a First Information Report (FIR). The counsel contended that under Section 125 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)—which pertains to waging war against any Power in alliance with Pakistan—the actions of these leaders constituted punishable offenses. He further claimed that millions in Pakistan were distressed by regional conflicts and that legal action should be taken if “terrorism occurs in the neighborhood.”
The court, however, raised significant jurisdictional questions, asking the counsel to explain how the Pakistan Penal Code could be applied to foreign nationals residing outside the country. The judge remarked:
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Jurisdictional Limits: “Are the individuals named in your petition Pakistani citizens or currently present in Pakistan?”
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Proper Forum: The court advised the lawyers that such grievances should be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rather than a local sessions court.
In response, the petitioner argued that only a sovereign government has the standing to approach the ICJ. Meanwhile, the Docks Police submitted a formal report stating there is no evidence that these foreign heads of state committed any acts of terrorism within their local jurisdiction. Consequently, the judge maintained that the petition lacked legal standing and dismissed the plea.
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