The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its judgment on a petition challenging the presidential ordinance that extended the maximum period of physical remand in NAB cases from 14 to 40 days. Justice Raja Inaam Amin Minhas heard the petition filed by Najeeullah. Advocate Azhar Siddique appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Mian Faisal Irfan represented the Federation.
The petitioner's counsel argued that parliament had fixed the physical remand period at 14 days after due deliberation. However, the president through an ordinance has extended the period to 40 days. He contended that the ordinance was promulgated in 2024.
The counsel argued that the ordinance was presented before the assembly but was not approved and was instead rejected, demonstrating that it lacked parliamentary endorsement. The counsel maintained that the ordinance had been introduced with the objective of extending the remand period. Opposing the petition, the deputy attorney general submitted that the ordinance had already lapsed and the matter had also been decided by the Lahore High Court.
He argued that the petitioner was not an aggrieved person and the petition should therefore be dismissed. After hearing arguments from both sides, the IHC reserved its judgment.