Defence Secretary's removal challenged in court

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had sacked Lodhi against the 'rules of business', says petitioner.


Express January 12, 2012

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.

COMMENTS (17)

VINOD | 12 years ago | Reply

reading all the comments up to 16th. evening, it is clear that majority comments are in favour of the army. it reflects that people are yet not ready to accept civil authority over all other institutions of the country - as per norms of the democracy. well if that be so the will of people will finally prevail and a government under the thumb of military will be installed. all failures will be assigned to the civil authority and army will enjoy its supremacy as ever. good luck and best wishes to people of Pakistan.

JJ | 12 years ago | Reply

Must be challenged in court with full force in the spirit of democracy . . . .if there is any democracy. The public trust in the court system must be upheld!

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