Petition dismissed: Oath-taking to be held in K-P Governor House

A two-judge bench of the PHC, comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan and Justice Ayub Khan, turned down the petition

PESHAWAR: Just a day before he is due to take the oath of office, the high court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the format of the governor’s oath-taking ceremony.

A two-judge bench of the Peshawar High Court, comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan and Justice Ayub Khan, turned down the petition after the bench was told by government lawyers that the oath-taking ceremony is a political activity and it cannot be held in the court.

They further contended that it was not against the supremacy of the law or the judiciary if the chief justice of the high court visited the governor house and administered the oath of office to the incoming incumbent.

“the chief justice is not only for the courtroom; he is the chief justice of the province and his visit to the governor house neither diminishes his status nor is it against the constitution,” argued Assistant Advocate General Syed Sikandar Shah.

Justice Qaiser Rashid, who was heading the bench, heard arguments from both sides and remarked that where can the oath-taking ceremony of the governor be held if not in the governor house.

He concluded that it is a political activity and should not be held in the high court.

Thus, the bench has turned down the petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2018.