Federal Constitutional Court rejects Bushra Bibi's sentence suspension petition

Her lawyer, Salman Safdar, presented arguments, while Salman Akram Raja was also present in the courtroom alongside him. During the hearing, Salman Safdar argued that courts have traditionally shown leniency towards women. He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had maintained an objectionable conduct over the past 13 months, repeatedly seeking adjournments during hearings.

He added that NAB had also objected to the petition seeking suspension of the sentence. Safdar argued that, following her conviction, there were now legal grounds for granting Bushra Bibi bail.

He said she had sought suspension of her sentence on the basis of being a woman, adding that the case had largely remained focused on the appeal filed by the PTI founder.

Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan advised the counsel not to delve into the merits of the case at this stage, explaining that the court was hearing the petition concerning suspension of the sentence. Justice Baqar Najafi asked how many times the main appeal had been scheduled for hearing.

After completing the hearing, Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan asked the parties to wait for the court’s order. The court also directed Salman Safdar to submit written points of argument. Subsequently, the Federal Constitutional Court announced its decision, declaring Bushra Bibi’s petition seeking suspension of her sentence inadmissible.