Govt’s powers: LHC CJ constitutes new bench

Move comes after Punjab AAG raises objections over a member of court bench

LAHORE:

A Lahore High Court (LHC) larger bench hearing the petitions, questioning the power of caretaker Punjab government to remove public servants including Advocate General Punjab Ahmad Awais and other law officers, was dissolved once again on Wednesday.

As the bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, started its proceedings, Punjab Additional Advocate General Ghulam Sarwar raised an objection to a member of the bench.

He submitted that Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir had refused to hear the petition of Advocate General Punjab Ahmad Awais, therefore, he could not become a part of the bench.

At this, the bench agreed with the stance of the law officer and referred the matter to LHC chief justice with a request to form a new bench for hearing. Later on, LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti reconstituted the bench and replaced Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir with Justice Anwaar Hussain.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2023.