Objections raised against IHC chief justice in Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD: During the hearing of case against the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi in Islamabad High Court (IHC), PTI’s counsel raised objections to the presiding judge.

The IHC saw the defence counsel, for Imran and Bushra, objecting to IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Aamer Farooq presiding over their new Toshakhana case.

IHC seeks responses from authorities, ministry in Bushra Bibi’s case

The session, presided over by CJ Farooq and Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz, faced interruptions when Khan’s assistant lawyer, Intizar Panjotha, voiced his concerns. Panjotha cited the filing of a reference against CJ Farooq in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) as the reason for his objection, urging the Chief Justice to recuse himself from the case.

“It is requested that you do not preside over the case of Imran Khan,” Advocate Intizar Panjotha said.

In response, CJ Farooq dismissed the request, stating, “This is not a reason; this way a new trend will start.” He further directed Panjotha to bring Salman Akram Raja, another lawyer, to present arguments on the case.

CJ Farooq also instructed the counsel to refer to the order of Justice Babar Sattar regarding the matter and pointed out that Panjotha did not possess a power of attorney in the case.

The court has adjourned the hearing until next week.