Our Selective Humanity
I once attended a seminar on the law governing the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles— “drones”—at an eminent university in the United Kingdom. I expected the discussion to be essentially on legal…
The Challenges of Consumer Law (World Consumer Day 15th March)
The Challenges of Consumer Law (World Consumer Day 15th March) This 15th of March 2015, I got an opportunity to speak at an event to celebrate the work consumer day organized by…
Judicial Leadership – fixed term for CJP?
The retirement last year of the Country’s 21st Chief Justice, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, after just seven months in office, and the appointment of the current Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk,…
Is The Judicial Commission Constitutional?
No election in Pakistan’s recent history has been shrouded more in controversy than the general elections 2013 (GE 2013). Allegations of rigging, malpractices, negligence and irregularities have snatched much credibility from GE…
The Failure of our Legal System
As a legal system, Pakistan’s response to the war on terror has been nothing short of miserable. The inability of our state apparatus to adapt itself to the changing nature of this…
Arbitral Institutions, Arbitrators and the Parties: A Complex Relationship
Arbitral Institutions, Arbitrators and the Parties: A Complex Relationship It is commonly accepted that by choosing to resolve a dispute by way of arbitration, the parties waive off their right to an…
Negative Declaration Preventing the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
The New York Convention, 1958 provides a full-fledged regime for enforcement of foreign commercial arbitral awards; while also affording remedial access to the award-debtor seeking non-enforcement of award. Yet enshrined in the…
I tube, you tube, we all scream YouTube
In the year 2010, during the month of May, Pakistani authorities shut down the popular social networking site Facebook, as it was allegedly hosting certain ‘blasphemous’ pages. Not much time went by…
UK Election Results 2015: A Boost to the Residential Property Market
Overseas investors can breathe a sigh of relief as David Cameron makes his way back into 10 Downing Street, seizing an unexpected overall majority vote. The run up to the General Election…
Laws Governing Air Warfare
Laws Governing Air Warfare Although States have not adopted a specific regulation of modern air warfare, it is evident that the general principles of international humanitarian law apply. Aerial bombardment, for instance,…
Avoiding Electronic Crimes or the Fundamental Rights?
Recently, a large hue and cry has been raised by the public at large when the outcome of “years of drafting and consultations” has been presented before the National Assembly by the…
The Case for signing the Apostille Treaty
Introduction Migrating or making investments abroad invariably involves transfer of various documents. Notarization and legalization of documents is an important but cumbersome step in cross border exchange of public documents. Notarization is…
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Pakistan
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are an important pillar of the human rights framework and the below average results in this area are a poor reflector on the general human…
Reviewing the Punishment of Apostasy in Islamic Law
Apostasy or Irtidad in Arabic literally means to ‘backslide.’ In Islamic terminology it is ‘turning away from Islam’ or ‘severing the ties with Islam’ and a person who abandons Islam is called…
Signs of a Failed Legal System
The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index offers a detailed, multidimensional view of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice. In arriving at its conclusions,…
What are the powers of Labour Courts?
As a result of promulgation of Punjab Industrial Relations Act, 2010 (PIRA-2010), Labour Court was established in the Province of Punjab. The courts that have been established are two in Lahore and…
What is gratuity? Who is entitled to claim gratuity?
Gratuity is the total amount payable to a ‘workman’ in the private sector based on his salary and the period of service, over and above six months, when he leaves service. The…