LHC judge recuses himself from hearing Maryam Nawaz's plea for return of passport

LAHORE (92 News) - Justice Anwarul Haq of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz regarding return of her passport.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Baqir Ali Najafi heard the case. During the hearing, Justice Anwarul Haq Pannu recused himself from hearing the case, citing her personal reasons.

The court sent the file to the chief justice, recommending reformation of the bench.

In a miscellaneous petition, Maryam Nawaz contended that she had been granted bail in the Chaudhary Sugar Mills inquiry and the NAB had not so far filed a reference. "The confiscation of the passport is the violation of the constitutional right. Hence the court should return her passport," she stated.

She had also stated that there is no restriction on travelling abroad as per the NAB law. "I have submitted a surety bond worth Rs70 million. The Judicial deputy registrar should be ordered to return my passport," she requested.