Islamabad — The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed that the petition challenging the appointment of District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana be scheduled for hearing in the second week of November. Judge Rana is known for presiding over the high-profile £190 million NAB case, in which PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were convicted.
The case was taken up by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar, who remarked during proceedings that he was unwell and therefore adjourned the matter. The petition was filed by Usama Riaz, who sought an early hearing against Judge Rana’s appointment.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Riaz Hanif Rahi, about the basis of the challenge. The lawyer argued that Judge Rana had been declared unfit for judicial service in a Supreme Court ruling dated October 19, 2004, making his later appointment as a judge unlawful.
Advocate Rahi further stated that the petition was linked to the late Wahab Al-Khairi’s case, noting that if Al-Khairi were alive, he would have opposed the appointment. The petition requests that Judge Rana be barred from performing judicial duties and that his appointment notification be declared null and void.
It also seeks that, if Judge Rana has already retired before the petition is decided, all privileges and financial benefits received after December 14, 2022 be withdrawn, including any pension entitlements.
Chief Justice Dogar reiterated that the matter will be heard in the second week of November, once the court reconvenes, and formally adjourned the proceedings.