The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has referred appeals challenging the acquittal of PTI Chairman and Bushra Bibi to Chief Justice Aamer Farooq for forming a new bench.
The appeals, filed by Khawar Maneka, were heard by Additional Judge Justice Azam Khan.
Representing the petitioner, lawyers Zahid Asif Chaudhry, Iqbal Kakar, and others appeared in court, while the PTI Chairman's legal team included Ali Bukhari, Shoaib Shaheen, and Niazullah Niazi.
The appeals were filed against the decision of an Additional Sessions Judge issued in July 2024.
During the hearing, Advocate Shoaib Shaheen requested the case to be transferred to another bench, arguing that Justice Azam Khan had already expressed a biased opinion.
Justice Azam Khan clarified that he had only heard a review petition against an order and had not pre-judged the case.
Following the defense counsel's objection, the court directed the case to Chief Justice Aamer Farooq for the formation of a new bench.
The appeal file has been officially transferred to the Chief Justice for further proceedings.
