The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the objections raised by the registrar's office to a petition seeking the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on parole in the £190 million reference.
The case was heard by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, who remarked that the court would pass an appropriate order on the registrar's objections.
At the outset of the hearing, Justice Dogar asked the petitioner's counsel, senior advocate Sardar Latif Khosa, whether he wished to refer the matter to a division bench.
Khosa responded that the Assistant Registrar had raised an objection, terming the plea non-maintainable. "It is for this honourable court to decide whether the petition is admissible," he argued.
"There is a perception that justice is being denied to a particular individual. That impression should end. Everyone is deserving of this court's respect," Khosa stated.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also appeared in court alongside Khosa to support the petition.
The court, however, observed that parole is an executive matter. "This is the government's job. Why have you brought it here?" Justice Dogar asked.
Khosa clarified that parole and probation were distinct legal matters. "We have already filed a parole application with the provincial government, but it remains pending. The appeal against conviction is before your court. If the government does not entertain our request, we will return here," he said.
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