LHC slaps Rs100,000 fine on Bushra Bibi

Justice Tariq says larger bench already stopped police from harassing Imran


Our Correspondent April 20, 2023
Former first lady Bushra Bibi. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi that sought to "halt expected police action" at their Zaman Park residence during Eidul Fitr holidays.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on Bushra's lawyer Azhar Siddique.

The Punjab police had raided Imran's Lahore residence last month after the former premier left for the Federal Judicial Complex for a hearing and arrested several party workers.

During the hearing of a separate case at the LHC earlier this week, Imran informed the court of his fears that another "operation" would be launched during the Eid holidays. Subsequently, the court directed police to not "harass" Imran.

During the hearing, Bushra nominated the Ministry of Interior, inspector general Punjab police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as respondents in the petition. It stated that "reports" had been received that an operation would be conducted at Zaman Park during the Eid holidays.

Read more: Bushra Bibi moves IHC against NAB probe into Toshakhana

It referred to the March operation and requested the court to stop police from conducting the reported operation during the holidays.

During the hearing, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh questioned what the court could do on the basis of "apprehensions".

Referring to the LHC's order to not "harass" Imran, the judge observed that a larger bench had already heard the matter. "When a five-member bench has already issued an order, why did you file a similar petition again? You should not have done it," he told Bushra's counsel.

When Siddique argued that the earlier order was related to not harassing Imran, Justice Tariq said the latest petition was similar to the matter that had already been heard.

"So much of the court's time is wasted because of such petitions," the judge remarked.

At this, Siddique offered to withdraw the petition.

Subsequently, the judge dismissed the petition and imposed a fine on Bushra's lawyer.

COMMENTS (18)

Mohammad zaheer | 1 year ago | Reply I like it
Faridah Yasmin | 1 year ago | Reply Why court is giving so fast access to Imran Khan and his family as well as other politicians It s causing delay in justice to common people
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