NASIR and another vs THE STATE and 2 others

This matter concerns a petition for leave to appeal filed by the petitioners against an order of the Lahore High Court, which had dismissed their appeal against the acquittal of their co-accused. The core legal question addressed by the Supreme Court was whether the petitioners, who were themselves convicted, possessed the requisite locus standi or legal right to challenge the acquittal of their co-accused in the same case. Additionally, the court examined the issue of limitation, as the petition was filed seven days beyond the prescribed period of limitation. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court, affirming that the petitioners lacked the locus standi to file an appeal against the acquittal of the co-accused. Furthermore, the court found that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient grounds to justify the condonation of the seven-day delay in filing the petition. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition both on its merits and on the grounds of being time-barred, thereby reinforcing the principle that a convict does not have an inherent right to appeal the acquittal of co-accused parties.