LHC bench dissolved after Hamza shows mistrust

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Tuesday declined to hear bail petitions of Punjab Assembly opposition leader, Hamza Shahbaz, in three different cases after he expressed mistrust in the bench in the wake of a controversial media interview, given by National Accountability Bureau chairman.

The bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najfi, referred the petitions to the LHC chief justice, requesting him to fix them before another bench. Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem was other member of the bench.

The bench was hearing the pre-arrest bail petitions of Hamza in Ramzan Sugar Mills, Saaf Pani and assets cases.

After lengthy arguments from both sides, Hamza, all of a sudden, stood up and sought permission to speak which was granted. Hamza expressed his distrust in the bench, saying that he respected the judiciary and was not afraid of his arrest. He added that he returned to Pakistan while leaving behind his ailing daughter in London.