Declares petition filed against prior liability judgment not maintainable
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (HC) has dismissed a petition filed against Judge Nasir Javed Rana, who handed down the £190m judgment.
IHC Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar issued the ruling on the petition seeking suspension of appointment of Rana as District and Sessions Judge.
The petitioner – Osama Riaz Raahi – had sought relief based on a 2004 Supreme Court observation. After hearing preliminary arguments, the IHC had reserved its decision. The court dismissed the petition on Friday, ruling that it was not maintainable.
Judge 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 £190m corruption case.
Advocate Rahi had noted in his arguments 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 case was related to the case of late Habib-ul-Wahab-ul-Khairi and had he been alive he would have certainly pursued this decision.
The petitioner maintained that Nasir Javed Rana should be debarred from performing his duties and the notification of his appointment should be declared void.
It further stated that if the petition was decided after his retirement, all benefits and privileges earned after December 14, 2022 should be withdrawn and he should not be considered entitled to any pension or other benefits.
