Defence Secretary's removal challenged in court
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had sacked Lodhi against the 'rules of business', says petitioner.
LAHORE:
A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday challenging the removal of Lt Gen (Retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi from the post of Defence Secretary.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had sacked Lodhi on Wednesday, claiming that he acted illegally, causing a rift between the government and the military and accused him of misconduct.
Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed the petition and stated that Lodhi’s removal was based on malafide intentions and was an attempt to create conflict between the institutions.
He stated that Lodhi was removed without being given any show cause notice and an opportunity to defend himself.
Siddique also stated that issuance of show cause notice to government employees is mandatory and the government had failed to fulfil this requirement.
Terming Lodhi's removal an action against the principles of justice, Siddique said it was an attempt to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
The petitioner contended that the government had taken this step just to create hurdles for implementation of Supreme Court orders.
A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday challenging the removal of Lt Gen (Retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi from the post of Defence Secretary.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had sacked Lodhi on Wednesday, claiming that he acted illegally, causing a rift between the government and the military and accused him of misconduct.
Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed the petition and stated that Lodhi’s removal was based on malafide intentions and was an attempt to create conflict between the institutions.
He stated that Lodhi was removed without being given any show cause notice and an opportunity to defend himself.
Siddique also stated that issuance of show cause notice to government employees is mandatory and the government had failed to fulfil this requirement.
Terming Lodhi's removal an action against the principles of justice, Siddique said it was an attempt to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
The petitioner contended that the government had taken this step just to create hurdles for implementation of Supreme Court orders.