SC takes suo motu notice of delay in accountability judge’s reappointment

Law secretary says the matter is with prime minister secretariat

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has taken suo motu notice of the delay in reappointment of an accountability court judge, who is hearing the Panamagate case against Sharif family.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, heard on Wednesday an application pertaining to extension in tenure of accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir.

Justice Nisar observed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had already recommended Bashir’s appointment but the government was yet to take action.

After being summoned to appear before the top court earlier in the day, the law secretary informed SC that the matter of reappointment of the judge was currently with the Prime Minister Secretariat. He added that the extention will be approved in the next couple of days.

The court has adjourned hearing until March 12.

On Tuesday, an accountability court, hearing corruption references against the Sharif family and former finance minister Ishaq Dar, requested the Supreme Court to extend time period for the ongoing trials, arguing that they cannot be concluded within the six-month time set by the apex court.

A source privy to the development said Judge Bashir had sent a letter to the apex court which had directed the trial court to decide within six months the references against former PM Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, son in-law Captain (retd) Safdar, sons Hasan and Husain Nawaz as well as Dar.

It is now up to the SC bench to extend time or issue notices to parties concerned after taking into consideration the trial’s stage and the reports sent to the monitoring judge, Justice Ijazul Ahsan.