Justice Refuses to Hear Sharif Case

Protesting the large number of intelligence agents and army personnel in his courtroom, a High Court justice refused today to hear a case of treason and hijacking against deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. High Court Justice Shabir Ahmed ordered the arrest of several intelligence agents, while others fled his courtroom, witnesses said. Ahmed’s refusal to hear the case against Sharif was a major setback for the army-led government, which filed the charges against the ex-prime minister and six other men. Ahmed ordered the case returned to a lower court; however, the legislation governing the anti-terrorist courts demands that a High Court judge preside. According to lawyers, Ahmed’s decision effectively halts the proceedings.