ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a petition seeking restoration of bail for accused Najaf Hameed in a fraud case and referred the matter to the Chief Justice’s Office for the constitution of a new bench.

During the hearing, Najaf Hameed appeared before the court along with his counsel, Raja Qadeer Janjua, and other lawyers. At the outset, Justice Minhas excused himself from proceeding with the petition and addressed the defence counsel, observing, “The lawyer should explain to his client that he does not do this; that does not happen, I will not hear this case anymore.”

Following these remarks, the court directed that the case file be sent to the chief justice for the formation of a new bench to take up the matter.

The development comes after the trial court had earlier cancelled Najaf Hameed’s bail in the fraud case. Subsequently, the Islamabad High Court suspended the trial court’s order and restored his bail.

With Justice Minhas stepping aside, the matter will now be placed before a new bench to be constituted by the chief justice for further proceedings.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026