SC grants Punjab govt more time in PTI leaders’ May 9 bail appeals

WEB DESK: Following the hearing on Punjab government’s appeal for cancellation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders’ bail in May 9 riot case, the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has granted time to present arguments on the earlier appeals filed.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the three-person bench hearing the case includes Justice Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Gul Hasan Aurangzeb. The cases were filed against leaders whose name appeared in rioting of military establishments in Rawalpindi.

The additional prosecutor general of Punjab Ahmad Raza Gillani. said that the Punjab government wished to submit the joint-investigation team (JIT) reports and aimed to present arguments in their light.

Justice Afridi also pointed out that some appeals were also regarding the transfer of the case, however, those appeals are now ineffective. The additional prosecutor general remarked that the judge catering to Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi had already been transferred: “There are eleven transfer applications, each with a fine of PKR200,000, and the decision also contains remarks against the Prosecutor General of Punjab.”

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Justice Afridi remarked that perhaps some money ought to be deposited to which Gillani said that as prosecutor, it was distressing to be accused of obstructing judicial proceedings.

Justice Siddiqui questioned whether there was any regret in sending a reference against the judicial officer, while Justice Afridi added that if necessary, the court would summon the judicial officer to hear their stance. He further ruled that the fine could not be revoked without issuing notices to the parties involved and advised seeking fresh instructions regarding the appeals for case transfers.

Gillani notified the jury that the cases related to May 9 are also scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and he was assured by Justice Afridi that those would be addressed as well.

The bails involve PTI leaders Sheheryar Afridi and Aaliya Hamza.