ISLAMABAD: The judicial credibility of Judge Nasir Javed Rana, who delivered a significant verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case convicting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, has come under intense scrutiny after revelations of his past record surfaced.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir shared a 2004 Supreme Court verdict declaring Judge Nasir unfit for judicial services due to misconduct. The case stemmed from the illegal detention of a senior lawyer, for which Judge Nasir granted a ten-day remand in violation of legal protocols.
The judgment, authored by former Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, stated:
“The magistrate has a strong tendency for committing any mischief and is absolutely unfit for judicial service.”
The court’s decision to withdraw Judge Nasir’s judicial powers followed a suo-motu notice, describing his actions as a deliberate affront to the sanctity of the judiciary.
Mir’s revelations on social media included official documents from the 2004 ruling, sparking widespread debate. In his post, he questioned the judge’s reinstatement, noting:
“This is a Supreme Court verdict against Judge Nasir Javed Rana in 2004. The Chief Justice of Pakistan took a suo-motu action against civil judge Nasir Javed Rana, and his judicial powers were withdrawn. He was declared unfit for judicial service but the same judge was hired again.”
The controversy arises shortly after Judge Nasir sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years and Bushra Bibi to seven years in prison, alongside hefty fines, in the high-profile Al-Qadir Trust case. PTI leaders have questioned the impartiality of the judge, citing his previous dismissal and alleged predisposition toward misconduct.
Legal experts and analysts have called for a comprehensive review of Judge Nasir’s reinstatement and his recent decisions, citing potential implications for judicial integrity in Pakistan.
