Judge Muhammad Bashir of the Islamabad Accountability Court-I has once again applied for leave until his retirement on March 14, citing medical grounds. The judge, who recently delivered a verdict in the Toshakhana case involving Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, submitted the leave application to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which acknowledged its receipt.

This is the second time Judge Bashir has sought medical leave, with his previous request on January 20 citing deteriorating health until his retirement. However, the Ministry of Law and Justice did not approve the initial request, prompting the judge to withdraw it by stating his improved health. Now, he has reapplied for leave.

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Judge Bashir’s lengthy tenure, spanning eleven years in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court, is unusual as accountability court judges are typically appointed for three years. During his tenure, he has presided over high-profile cases, including those involving former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Yousaf Raza Gilani, and Asif Ali Zardari. Notably, he served during the terms of Nawaz Sharif in 2018 and Imran Khan in 2021.

Judge Bashir’s courtroom has been a witness to appearances by four prime ministers, making his judicial career historically significant. The cases he has presided over include the Toshakhana cars case, the fake account case against Zardari, and the NAB reference against former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.