'Are you trying to pressure court?'

ISLAMABAD:

Acting Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Thursday objected to the crowd of lawyers gathered at the rostrum during the £190 million case hearing, questioning whether they were trying to pressure the court and reminded them that such behaviour violated courtroom decorum.

A division bench of the IHC comprising acting chief justice and Justice Muhammad Asif heard PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi's appeals for the suspension of sentence in the case.

During the hearing, PTI counsel Barrister Salman Safdar appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioners, accompanied by a large number of lawyers at the rostrum.

The acting chief justice objected to the crowd of lawyers at the rostrum. "If only one lawyer will argue, why are so many gathered? Are you trying to pressure [the court]? This is not courtroom decorum. The rest should take their seats. If this situation persists, I will not hear this case."

Special Prosecutor for NAB Javed Arshad requested four weeks' time to prepare, noting that he was appointed only a day ago and the case involved lengthy volumes of records.

Barrister Safdar argued that under Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi's leadership, NAB had already notified its prosecution team, and on June 5 Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood had stated they were not ready to argue.

Barrister Safdar further pointed out that one of the convicted is a woman and, as per practice, women's sentences are often suspended.

He requested the court to grant them an opportunity to start their case, saying it would only ensure transparency.

Arshad responded that he deserved a "fair opportunity" to prepare, as he had never been part of the case before. I need time to review the record, he said.

Barrister Safdar noted that the case was finally fixed after a long delay and requested the hearing be scheduled for Monday.

The court accepted NAB's request seeking time to prepare the case and adjourned the hearing, stating that the next date would be announced later.