Cut off: Special assistants, advisers remove flags from cars

Move follows court order nullifying law adviser’s appointment

KARACHI: Special assistants to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah removed government flags from their vehicles on Thursday. This was done following the Sindh High Court decision that advisers and assistants cannot hold portfolios or attend cabinet meetings. The orders were passed by the court following its nullification of the appointment of law adviser Murtaza Wahab.

There are four advisors and 17 special assistants to the CM in Sindh. Some special assistants are also elected MPAs. During the assembly session, which was chaired by Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, the vehicles entered the assembly premises without government flags. Fayyaz Butt, Ghulam Shah Jilani, Rehana Leghari and Erum Khalid were among special assistants and advisers who have removed their flags.

Before the assembly session, the CM told the media that his government has decided to challenge the court’s decision. “The petition was against Murtaza Wahab but the court has given a decision against all advisers and special assistants. We hope that Supreme Court will give us relief,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2016.