The Lahore High Court (LHC), on Tuesday, suspended the sentence of Afzal Azeem Pahat, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in connection with a case involving rioting at Sherpao Bridge.
A division bench, led by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, reviewed the application that contested the refusal to suspend the sentence. During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that the ruling of the anti-terrorism court was inconsistent with the evidence and legal standards, and requested the suspension of the sentence.
The counsel also noted that the petitioner had already lodged an appeal against his conviction, which is currently pending, and stated that the sentence should remain suspended until a final decision is reached regarding the appeal.
After considering the comprehensive arguments presented, the bench granted the request and suspended the sentence.
Previously, an anti-terrorism court had sentenced Afzal Azeem Pahat to 10 years of imprisonment in relation to the rioting incident at Sherpao Bridge.
ECP suspends Senate by-election for Murad Saeed’s vacant seat
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday suspended the Senate by-election for the vacant seat of Murad Saeed after issuing a stay order on a petition that challenged his de-notification.
A three-member bench of the ECP reviewed the petition concerning this issue and issued notices to all relevant parties.
During the proceedings, the attorney representing petitioner MPA Jalal Khan appeared before the commission and asserted that Saeed had been elected as a senator but failed to take the oath of office.
Read more: ECP postpones Senate by-election for Murad Saeed’s vacant seat
