ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has approved a request for suspension of the sentence of an accused convicted in a blasphemy case and ordered his release on bail against surety bonds worth Rs100,000.

A division bench comprising Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Khadim Soomro heard appeals against the convictions and applications seeking suspension of sentences filed by the accused.

During the hearing, the court noted that only five months and 25 days of the convict's sentence remained. The court subsequently approved the sentence suspension application and directed the jail authorities to release the accused after receiving surety bonds of Rs100,000.

The Islamabad High Court also scheduled the remaining main appeals for hearing after two weeks.

During the proceedings, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan made important remarks regarding the security concerns surrounding blasphemy cases and the protection of judges and witnesses.

The judge remarked that during the hearing of the blasphemy case, he felt every day that someone might come and shoot him inside the courtroom.

He observed that judges should be able to sit on the bench without fear. He further remarked that fear prevents judges from hearing appeals and said that if he could hear the appeals alone, he would do so.

Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan said that the state was acting hypocritically by failing to provide protection to judges and witnesses. He also questioned how many judges had lost their lives.

The judge further remarked that everyone knew why these appeals had not been scheduled for hearing for years. He added that if he responded to the matter, another reference would be filed against him.

After the bench dictated its order suspending the sentence, the complainant objected, saying he was disappointed that he had not been given an opportunity to speak, despite being the complainant in the case.

Responding to the objection, Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan said that a judge's decision could be disagreed with, but a legal forum was available for filing complaints against a judge.

He further remarked that another reference could be filed against him and that even the one leg he still had within the circle could be taken outside it.