Early Departure

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has vacated his official residence over two days before his retirement.

He is scheduled to retire as the chief justice of the highest court on August 16.

He has relocated to a house designated for retired judges.

Reports indicate that the nominated Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa will occupy the official residence later this week.

Isa will take the oath on September 17 and will depart for the ceremony from the chief justice’s residence, as per sources.

Bandial held office from February 2, 2022, serving as chief justice for one and a half years. Overall, Bandial took early departure from official residence before planned date.

Massive Influx: Over 600,000 Afghans Seek Refuge In Pakistan Amid Taliban Takeover

Since the Taliban’s reassertion of control in Afghanistan in 2021, more than 600,000 Afghans have arrived in Pakistan, according to official government estimates, as reported by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Qaiser Khan Afridi on Wednesday.

Afridi stated, “In addition to the new arrivals, the government has issued Proof of Registration Cards to 1.3 million Afghan refugees hosted in Pakistan.”

During the past two years, over 16,000 Afghans have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan through the UNHCR-facilitated repatriation program after Taliban takeover.

In response to questions about Afghan refugees whose registration cards expired in June of this year, Afridi mentioned that they are coordinating with local authorities to secure extensions.