SC disposes of appeals regarding transfer of cases from Rawalpindi ATC judge in the case related to May 9, 2023 mayhem

ISLAMABAD, April 07 (SABAH): Chief Justice of Pakistan Jusitce Yahya Khan Afridi on Monday upheld the Rs2.2 million fine imposed on the Prosecutor General of Punjab by the Lahore High Court (LHC) while disposing of appeals regarding the transfer of cases from the Rawalpindi ATC judge in the case related to May 9 mayhem. The court has directed the Punjab government counsel Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to consult with Prosecutor General Muhammad Amjad Parvez for not pressing the bail cancellation applications if the apex court issues directions to the trial courts for conclusion of May 9, 2023 mayhem cases in four months.

Three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Shakeel Ahmad headed the cases pertaining to transfer and cancellation of bails in May 9, 2023 incident filed by Punjab government. Special prosecutor Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Additional Prosecutor General Punjab Ahmed Raza Gillani appeared before the bench.

The CJP observed that the high court’s decision would not affect the careers of the prosecutor general and the ATC (anti-terrorism court) judge. The counsel for the Punjab government stated that the judge had already been transferred, and the issue is regarding the high court’s remarks and the fine.

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi mentioned that the chief justice of the high court has to manage the entire province and had to send a message to the government regarding the reference against the judge.

The CJP said that the LHC had sent a message to the government, which was also agreed upon by the administrative Judge. The Supreme Court does not wish to interfere in the jurisdiction of the high court, and paying the fine is not a major issue. The court adjourned further hearing on the bail cancellation applications till today (Tuesday) directing the Punjab government counsel to seek instructions from prosecutor general Punjab.