Hamza files petition in LHC against 'unlawful' transfers

PML-N leader questions how reappointments could occur in absence of cabinet, chief minister

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday against the transfer of the provincial chief secretary and inspector general police (IGP) a day earlier, questioning how the transfers could take place in the absence of a cabinet.

Terming the transfers illegal and unlawful, Hamza questioned the legality of the postings at a time that a new Punjab chief was yet to be elected.

“These unlawful actions clearly reflect the malice of the Punjab province and blatant, unauthorized and unlawful interference by a regime, which is only competent to make day to day decisions and orders,” he said.

The petition contended that former chief minister Usman Buzdar’s resignation had been accepted on April 1, following which he could only assume the role of a caretaker. The PML-N leader stated that the transfers of such officers could only be made in consultation with the provincial government.

It added that the provincial government did not exist therefore, such appointments were made without lawful authorities.

The petition further maintains that in the past the practice of transfers during the election process had always been deprecated and set aside by courts.

It reiterated that the reappointments were illegal considering the process of electing a chief minister of Punjab was still pending, particularly after the LHC took notice of the delay in electing a chief minister.

“It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that illegal and unlawful transfer and postings of the Chief Secretary Punjab and IGP may kindly be stayed and respondents may kindly be restrained from taking any such illegal actions during the process of the election of the CM Punjab,” the petition stated.

LHC takes notice of delay

The LHC on Friday summoned the Punjab Assembly secretary along with the relevant record pertaining to the election of the provincial chief minister.

Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti heard separate petitions filed by PML-N leader Hamza ShAhbaz and Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.

However, Justice Bhatti turned down the request of Mazari's counsel seeking entry into the Punjab Assembly. “Let the record be produced before the court to pass an appropriate order in this regard,” the LHC CJ said.

Hamza had urged the court to declare authorities concerned to convene the session of the assembly at the earliest for voting on the CM seat while Mazari had sought cancellation of the PA speaker’s ruling that had stripped him of his acting speaker's powers.