IHC issues notices to 25 ministers, heads of public offices. PHOTO: FILE
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to 25 ministers and heads of different organisations over a petition which seeks restraining orders against them.
The petition, filed by Barrister Zamir Hussain, a representative of the Sindh Coalition for Civil and Political Rights, claims that under the 1973 Constitution, two forums are envisaged for running the affairs of the government, namely the Cabinet and the Council of Common Interests (CCI). While the Cabinet is responsible for running the ministries overseeing federal territories, all other ministries fall under the purview of the CCI.
In his petition, Hussain alleged that the leadership of the ruling PML-N government is operating ministries/public organisations which are otherwise subject to the CCI. The petition argues that the CCI jurisdiction has been taken over by the federal cabinet through the establishment of ministries on subjects falling within the domain of the CCI, which is illegal and unconstitutional.
Subsequently, the petitioner requested the court to restrain the ministers from working as heads of ministries. The petitioner also contended that the CCI supervises and controls all related institutions mentioned above.
Following the hearing, Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan issued notices to 25 ministers and heads of organizations including Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Abid Sher Ali, water and power; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, petroleum and natural resources; Ahsan Iqbal, planning and development; Khawaja Saad Rafique and Abdul Hakeem Baloch, railways; Kamran Michael, ports and shipping; Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, industries; Riaz Hussain Pirzada, inter-provincial coordination; Baleeghur Rehman, education; and Pervaiz Rasheed, information.
Similarly, other ministers, including Usman Ibrahim, Abbas Khan Afridi, Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sikandar Hayat Khan, Anusha Rehman and Pir Mohammad Amin were also issued notices.
During Monday’s hearing Mariam Nawaz, who heads the Pakistan Youth Loan Scheme, Enver Baig, chairman of the Benazir Income Support Programme, Ilyas Khan, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Mohammad Ayub Shaikh, chairman of the Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) and Asad Imtiaz Ali, CEO of the Alternative Energy Development Board were also issued notices. The court adjourned the matter till the next date which will be fixed by the registrar office later.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2014.
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