ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday rejected the plea of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Hanif Abbasi regarding constitution of a larger bench to hear the petitions against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and senior leader Jahangir Tareen.
When Akram Sheikh, counsel for Abbasi, requested the chief justice to form a larger bench as it was done in a petition of Imran Khan against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the chief justice said that the larger bench was not required, adding that the court had to look at the litigation of general public as well so that dispensation of justice to them is not delayed. A three-judge bench headed by chief justice also dismissed the plea of PML-N leader wherein he had requested the bench to make interior ministry as respondent in the petition. Counsel for the PML-N leader contended that Khan was heading a foreign-funded party so the inclusion of interior ministry as respondent was required as it may be tasked to probe the matter at some stage. The top court, however, ruled that the application of inclusion of interior ministry in the petition will be reinserted if the court deemed and required it necessary.
