Lahore, Islamabad (Court Reporter, Staff Correspondent) – The Lahore High Court held a hearing on the government’s request to transfer cases involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and other accused from a Rawalpindi court to another jurisdiction, relating to the events of May 9.
Court’s Decision and Criticism of Government Pressure Imran Khan’s
The court dismissed the Punjab government’s requests and imposed a cumulative fine of 2.2 million rupees. Chief Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmad Khan of the Lahore High Court criticized the government for attempting to pressure judges, calling it regrettable and saying it made a mockery of the country. The Chief Justice reviewed 11 petitions from the Punjab government seeking the transfer of bail applications for Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and others from the court of Judge Ijaz Asif in Rawalpindi.
Allegations Against Judge Ijaz Asif
Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah argued that Judge Ijaz Asif’s conduct was contrary to the principles of justice. Suggesting a bias towards one party. They requested the transfer of the cases. Chief Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmad Khan strongly disapproves of the government’s petitions. Highlighting a disturbing trend. Where they make speeches against disliked judges.
He questioned whether the judge had any personal connections or financial inducements from the opposing party. The Prosecutor General reiterated that the judge’s conduct indicated a lack of impartiality and cited terrorism threats in Rawalpindi.
Chief Justice’s Response
The Chief Justice countered, questioning the danger inside a jail. They were asking if judges were expected to hear cases from the sky. He stated that there is no rule mandating a judge to cease work upon facing a reference against them, noting that the government seemed to favor certain judges for case hearings. The Chief Justice dismissed the request to withdraw the petitions.
Cipher Case Acquittal Challenged in Supreme Court
In a connected turn of events, the dismissal of Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the code case was tested in the High Court. The FIA appealed against the Islamabad High Court’s decision, claiming that the court failed to explain the acquittal’s reasons adequately. On June 20, a petition challenging the Punjab Cabinet’s approval to nominate the PTI chairman and other leaders in the cases was brought before a two-member bench of the Lahore High Court, which Justice Farooq Haider headed. The bench heard arguments from the lawyers.
Marriage During Waiting Period Case
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court’s Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb instructed the additional district and sessions judge, Muhammad Afzal Majoka, to decide within ten days on the suspension of sentences in the case of marriage during the waiting period (iddat) involving Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The court ordered a decision on the appeals against the sentences within a month.
Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka postponed the hearing on the primary appeals against the sentences and Bushra Bibi’s suspension request due to the non-receipt of the written decision from the Islamabad High Court, agreeing to decide before Eid.
Acquittal in Azadi March and May 9 Protest Cases Imran Khan’s
Judicial Magistrate Malik Imran acquitted Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ali Nawaz Awan, Sadaqat Abbasi, and others in a case related to the Azadi March. Additionally, PTI leader Shehryar Khan Afridi. On May 9, authorities acquitted others regarding protests and vandalism.
