SC puts Punjab govt on notice in Jinnah House arson bail case

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has ordered the Punjab government to respond to a bail petition filed by Hammad Nazir, a suspect in the Jinnah House arson case.

The petition was taken up by a bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. During the hearing, Justice Shah questioned the charges against Nazir, to which the defense lawyer explained that Nazir was accused of injuring a police constable with a stick. However, the medical report revealed that the injury was caused by stones thrown by the crowd, not by Nazir.

Justice Minallah pressed further, asking if Nazir had been present at the scene of the incident. The lawyer clarified that Nazir, a shopkeeper, was not there. Justice Minallah also inquired about any CCTV footage showing Nazir’s presence, to which the lawyer confirmed that no such evidence had been presented.

In light of the lack of evidence, the court issued a notice to the Punjab government on Nazir’s bail petition and adjourned the case indefinitely.

In a related matter, the same bench heard the pre-arrest bail petition of MPA Latif Nazar. The assistant lawyer informed the court that Nazar’s main counsel, Akram Awan, was unwell. Justice Shah asked if the defense wished to seek an adjournment, and the assistant lawyer requested a postponement until Awan’s return. Upon confirmation of Nazar’s presence in the courtroom, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing indefinitely due to the absence of his lead counsel.