PESHAWAR, March 1: A local court on Friday reserved its judgment on the bail application of former chief minister Aftab Sherpao in connection with his illegal exit from the country.

The court presided over by Judicial Magistrate Adil Akber Khan, would pronounce the order on Saturday.

The case was lodged by FIA’s Passport Circle on Jan 6, the day Mr Sherpao returned ending his two-year self-exile in the United Kingdom. The case was registered under section 3/4 of the Passport Act and section 4 of the Exit Control List Act on the complaint of FIA SHO Asal Mir Khan.

Appearing for the applicant, advocates Arshid Khan and Taj argued that the application was maintainable as the court of a judicial magistrate was competent to decide such cases. They quoted different judgments of superior courts in support of their contention. They added that the applicant was a well-known figure and was entitled to bail.

Government prosecutor Ayaz Khan argued that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the instant application. He added that the accused had left the country in an illegal manner as his name was on the Exit Control List.

The court reserved its verdict with the observation that it would first decide the issue of maintainability of the application.