19 February 2004	Thursday	27 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 18: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday put off the hearing of a constitutional writ petition which disputed the appointment of advisers to the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister.

Advocate MD Tahir had filed the petition stating that the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister were enjoying the services of advisors in contravention of provisions of the constitution.

He submitted that Article 32 of the constitution empowered the prime minister to appoint five advisors, but the number of his advisors at present far exceeded that number.

There was no provision in the constitution for an adviser to a chief minister, yet many were employed. He submitted that government's plea that the increase in the population warranted appointment of advisors and an army of ministers, could not be accepted as legal because the constitution did not provide for such a luxury at the expense of public exchequer.

Mr Tahir submitted that a poor country like Pakistan where poverty was forcing the poorest to commit suicide, could not afford such luxuries. When the petition was taken up on Wednesday, a deputy attorney-general sought grace period for a reply. The court adjourned the hearing of the petition with date in office.