LAHORE: The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) on Monday dismissed a petition, filed by head of Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid, challenging the appointment of Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
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In his petition, Rashid submitted that Mohsin Naqvi’s name was put forth by the present regime on account of his “close association” with the current ruling elite, particularly Zardari and the Sharif family, and his “political enmity” against the opposition.
The petition stated that Naqvi has been involved in the regime change against the PTI and is actively working for the PDM, adding that he had been involved in a case of corruption and corrupt practices initiated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) where he struck a plea bargain, voluntary return under section 25 of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999 and is thus a convicted person.
During the course of proceedings today, the federal government’s attorney stated before the proceedings even began that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the courts are present when a caretaker CM abuses his authority.
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He asserted that “it is exclusively the ECP’s competence to choose the caretaker CM” and claimed that the election watchdog had stopped the execution of many orders made by Naqvi.
According to Judge Karim, a caretaker CM is powerless as long as the ECP remains “neutral and sovereign.”
Azhar Siddique, the petitioner’s solicitor, informed the court that the ECP did not follow the proper procedures when selecting the caretaker CM for Punjab.
“Several measures taken by the caretaker CM are against the real essence of the constitution,” he argued and requested the court to set aside the impugned notification through which he was appointed as CM, declaring it as illegal.
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After hearing the arguments, Justice Shahid Karim reserved the verdict, which was announced minutes later, dismissing the petition.
