IHC takes up plea against Dar’s appointment today
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar addressing the 15th OIC Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul on May 5, 2024. PHOTO: PID
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear a petition today (Tuesday) against the appointment of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as deputy prime minister. The petition was filed by PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat, who challenged Dar's appointment through lawyer Riaz Hanif Rahi.
The petition argues that Ishaq Dar is already serving as the foreign minister but on April 28, a notification was issued approving his appointment as deputy prime minister.
The petition claims that the position of prime minister is a constitutional office, while the Constitution of Pakistan does not recognize the office of deputy prime minister.
There is no clause in the Constitution that allows the Cabinet Division to issue a notification for the appointment of a deputy prime minister, it says
Read Dar’s appointment as deputy PM challenged
The petition further contends that granting two positions to one individual at the public's expense for personal gain is inappropriate.
It states that an individual appointed illegally should not be entitled to state privileges. The petition requests the court to annul the notification of Ishaq Dar's appointment as deputy prime minister dated April 28, 2024.
The federal government, the Cabinet Division Secretary, the prime minister, and Ishaq Dar have been named as respondents in the petition.