Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shoaib Shaheen has stated that the decision on the request for suspension of the sentence in the iddat case has been made today. However, the final decision on the appeal against the verdict is still pending.

Speaking on the news program “Rubaroo” today, Shoaib Shaheen said that on the day the final decision on the appeal was to be made after five months of debate, Khawar Maneka expressed a lack of confidence in the judge.

Two months prior, he had already stated in a written request that he had objections to the judge and believed he would not deliver justice.

Shaheen explained that there are two legal grounds for objecting to a judge: one is bias, and the other is a conflict of interest, meaning the judge has a relationship or friendship with someone involved in the case. However, a strong reason must be provided when objecting to a judge.

Shaheen emphasized that the main appeal in this case is still pending, with the decision scheduled for July 8th. The decision made today was regarding the suspension of the seven-year sentence and release on bail.

He clarified that the decision made today was on an application, not the appeal itself. The difference between an appeal and an application is that when a lower court makes a decision, an appeal is filed in a higher court. During the pendency of this appeal, any party can file an application requesting the suspension of the sentence until the appeal is decided. This is often referred to as a bail law.

PTI workers surround Omar Ayub after iddat verdict, demand agitation

Shaheen reiterated that the decision on the appeal against the sentence is still pending.

Regarding Omar Ayub’s announcement to challenge the rejection of the application in the High Court, Shaheen clarified that he can indeed go to the High Court against the decision on the application for suspension of the sentence until the final decision on the appeal. However, the main appeal remains in place and cannot be challenged in the High Court until a decision is made on it.

He stated that the decision on the main appeal is expected between July 8th and 10th. The celebrations being witnessed today may be temporary, and the anger of the agitated workers may subside.

In response to a question, Shaheen said that the decision on Fawad Chaudhry’s return to the party will be made after Imran Khan’s release from prison.