Declares that petition filed against former accountability court judge cannot be maintained
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (HC) has dismissed as untenable a petition filed against Justice Nasir Javed Rana, who delivered the verdict in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) £190 million reference against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
IHC Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar issued the decision on the petition, seeking stay of Rana’s appointment as district and sessions judge.
The petitioner, Osama Riaz Raahi, had sought relief based on a Supreme Court observation in 2004. After hearing the preliminary arguments, the IHC reserved its decision. The court dismissed the petition on Friday, calling it unsustainable.
Justice Nasir Javed Rana, who presided over an accountability court in Islamabad earlier this year, convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the £190 million corruption case.
In his arguments, Advocate Rahi had pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its decision dated October 19, 2004, declared Nasir Javed Rana unfit for judicial service. He argued that in view of the order, the IHC should declare his appointment as a judge illegal.
The lawyer stated that the matter was related to the case of late Habib-ul-Wahab-ul-Khairi and if he had been alive, he would certainly have taken that decision.
The petitioner contended that Nasir Javed Rana should be restrained from discharging his duties and the notification of his appointment should be declared null and void.
He further stated that if the petition was decided after his retirement, all benefits and privileges obtained after December 14, 2022 should be withdrawn and he should not be considered entitled to any pension or other benefits.
