ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah on Thursday recused himself from hearing a petition seeking abolishment of the presidential powers to grant pardon to convicts under Article 45 of the Constitution.
Justice Athar Minallah referred the matter to IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan to constitute a new bench in the connection.
Following Justice Athar’s referral, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted the hearing. However, as the hearing begun, the IHC judge was told that the applicant and his lawyer are absent from the court. Justice Mial Gul adjourned the case.
Earlier, an applicant associated with the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) had approached the IHC against the president right of forgiveness to criminals under Article 45.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) had filed an application in the IHC in which it requested the court to retrieve president authority to forgive criminals. Justice Athar, however, rescued to hear the case and sent the applicant back to the registrar office.