ISLAMABAD:The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday suspended the sentence of a convict in a blasphemy case, with five months and 25 days of his prison term remaining, and ordered his release against surety bonds of Rs100,000.
A division bench comprising Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard applications seeking suspension of sentences and main appeals against the convictions.
The court also directed that the main appeals against the sentences be fixed for hearing after two weeks.
During the proceedings, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan remarked that while hearing the blasphemy case, he had felt that someone might come and shoot him. He observed that a judge should be able to sit on the bench without fear, adding that judges were reluctant to hear such appeals due to security concerns.
He questioned why the appeals had not been fixed for hearing for years.
After the bench dictated its order suspending the convict’s sentence, the complainant objected, saying he had not been given an opportunity to speak despite being the complainant in the case.
Justice Ishaq observed that a judge’s decision could be disagreed with and that legal forums were available for filing complaints against judges. He added that a reference could also be filed against him.
The court subsequently suspended the convict’s sentence, ordered his release on bail against surety bonds of Rs100,000 and adjourned the main appeals for two weeks.