£190m case against IK: IHC turns down petition challenging D&SJ’s appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) turned down a petition challenging the appointment of District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana.

A single bench of Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar on Friday announced its verdict, which he had reserved earlier after hearing the arguments in a petition filed by Usama Riaz challenging the appointment of the judge who decided the case regarding the 190 million pounds against PTI founder Imran Khan.

Justice Dogar stated in the written order that it is a settled principle that a High Court, while exercising constitutional jurisdiction, cannot arrogate to itself supervisory or disciplinary authority over judicial officers who do not fall within its administrative control merely because they are posted within its territorial limits on deputation.

“This Court cannot function as a parallel service tribunal in matters concerning officers whose parent High Court is elsewhere, nor can it entertain collateral challenges touching upon discipline or service fitness under the guise of quo warranto,” said the IHC Chief Justice.

The Court without entering into or expressing any opinion on the merits of the allegations levelled by the petitioner or the applicability of PLD 2005 SC 86, advised the petitioner that he may agitate his concern before the competent forum, and said the petition is not maintainable before this Court due to lack of territorial and institutional jurisdiction.

The petition was dismissed in limine.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025