PM’s youth loan scheme: Maryam Nawaz’s selection challenged
Petitioner contends chairperson’s appointment was illegal, violates fundamental rights
ISLAMABAD:
The appointment of the ‘first daughter’ as chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme was challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday.
Petitioner Muhammad Ashiq Bhatti, while citing the cabinet secretary and loan scheme chairperson Maryam Nawaz as respondents, has maintained that the appointment has been made in violation of law, merit and against the dictum laid down by the Supreme Court in the Khawaja Asif and Anita Turab cases for the appointments of such office-bearers.
The petitioner contended that the appointment was made without inviting applications and without advertising the position, which is against the apex court’s verdict in the Khawaja Asif case.
The apex court had directed the government to constitute a commission for appointments in statutory bodies, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, regulatory authorities as well as in government-controlled corporations, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.
The petition contended that the cabinet division issued the appointment notification on November 22, 2013, but the notification was not made publically available on the cabinet division’s website.
“The appointment has been made just because she (Maryam) is the daughter of the prime minister. [Her appointment] is a sheer reflection of nepotism,” the petitioner said, adding that the appointment was against the fundamental rights of the people, against equality of citizens and in violation of Article 27 of the Constitution — safeguards against discrimination in services.
The petitioner said that Maryam Nawaz was still involved in political activities on behalf of the ruling party and issues statements even after assuming charge of the programme, which he contended was also a violation of guidelines laid down by the apex court for public office holders. The petitioner requested the court to declare the notification illegal.
IHC judge Athar Minallah will take up the case on October 31.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2014.
The appointment of the ‘first daughter’ as chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme was challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday.
Petitioner Muhammad Ashiq Bhatti, while citing the cabinet secretary and loan scheme chairperson Maryam Nawaz as respondents, has maintained that the appointment has been made in violation of law, merit and against the dictum laid down by the Supreme Court in the Khawaja Asif and Anita Turab cases for the appointments of such office-bearers.
The petitioner contended that the appointment was made without inviting applications and without advertising the position, which is against the apex court’s verdict in the Khawaja Asif case.
The apex court had directed the government to constitute a commission for appointments in statutory bodies, autonomous bodies, semi-autonomous bodies, regulatory authorities as well as in government-controlled corporations, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.
The petition contended that the cabinet division issued the appointment notification on November 22, 2013, but the notification was not made publically available on the cabinet division’s website.
“The appointment has been made just because she (Maryam) is the daughter of the prime minister. [Her appointment] is a sheer reflection of nepotism,” the petitioner said, adding that the appointment was against the fundamental rights of the people, against equality of citizens and in violation of Article 27 of the Constitution — safeguards against discrimination in services.
The petitioner said that Maryam Nawaz was still involved in political activities on behalf of the ruling party and issues statements even after assuming charge of the programme, which he contended was also a violation of guidelines laid down by the apex court for public office holders. The petitioner requested the court to declare the notification illegal.
IHC judge Athar Minallah will take up the case on October 31.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2014.