ISLAMABAD: Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir on Saturday again applied for medical leave till retirement due next month.
The development comes a couple of days after Judge Muhammad Bashir delivered verdict in Toshakhana reference, sentencing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years in prison each along with a Rs1.5 billion fine.
In an application submitted to the Islamabad High Court, the judge has expressed his inability to work further due to deteriorating health and seeks leave until his retirement on March 14. The Islamabad High Court has confirmed the receipt of the petition.
Last week, Judge Muhammad Bashir had sought leave on medical grounds. However, he had to withdraw the application after the Ministry refused his application. It is noteworthy that Judge Muhammad Bashir played a significant role in delivering the verdict on the Toshakhana case involving the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi.
He is also hearing another Toshakhana reference against former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Yusuf Raza Gilani and against former President Asif Ali Zardari.
The same judge is also hearing the case of fake accounts against Asif Ali Zardari and a NAB case against former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Earlier on January 20, Judge Bashir applied for medical leave till his retirement on March 14, citing ill health. In the letter sent to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the Ministry of Law and Justice, the judge had stated that he could not perform his duties due to his unsound mind. However, the Ministry of Law and Justice did not approve the request.
After the plea was rejected, the judge withdrew his plea saying that he was now fine and could fulfill his duties. A day after delivering his verdict in the Toshakhana case on February 1, Judge Bashir once again applied for medical leave until his retirement.
Judge Bashir has been working in the accountability court since 2012. In 2018, he had convicted Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain Safdar in the Avenfield case.
Earlier in November 29, 2023, the IHC quashed the decision.
Accountability Court judges are generally appointed for three years, but Judge Bashir has been serving in the NAB Court for 11 years. His tenure was extended by former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif in 2018 and Imran Khan in 2021. Both the Prime Ministers were sentenced by the same judge who was twice extended in office by the respective Prime Ministers during their respective tenures.
