Judge Bashir seeks leave till retirement

Islamabad accountability court judge writes letter to IHC, citing deteriorating health

ISLAMABAD:

In a significant development, Islamabad Accountability Court-I Judge Muhammad Bashir—who is adjudicating a number of high-profile cases—has sought leave from duties on medical grounds until his retirement. The judge is set to hang up his robes on March 14.

Sources informed The Express Tribune that Judge Bashir has written a letter to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the Ministry of Law and Justice, seeking leave from January 24 to March 14. In the letter, the judge has expressed his position that due to his deteriorating health, he cannot perform his duties.

Judge Muhammad Bashir is hearing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references filed against former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, for the alleged misuse of the official gifts repository and their role in a mega scandal involving £190 million.

Additionally, the high-profile case against former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani and former president Asif Ali Zardari regarding Toshakhana cars is also under hearing in his court.

He is also hearing a fake account case against Zardari as well as the NAB reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Also read: Police refute reports of gunfire at Judge Muhammad Bashir’s vehicle

In July 2018, Judge Muhammad Bashir had pronounced sentences against former Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, and son-in-law Captain Safdar in the Avenfield reference. The IHC overturned the verdict last year, on November 29.

Judge Muhammad Bashir, appointed in 2012 during the tenure of then PM Gilani, has served for an unusually extended period. Although accountability court judges are typically appointed for three years, Judge Bashir has been serving in the NAB court for eleven years.

His tenure has seen appointments by former PMs Nawaz Sharif in 2018 and Imran Khan in 2021.

Judge Bashir's courtroom has witnessed the appearances of four prime ministers – Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nawaz Sharif, and Imran Khan – marking a unique and historically significant aspect of his judicial career.

The current situation raises questions about the continuity and handling of the pending cases in the absence of Judge Bashir during his medical leave.