LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought a reply from the federal government on a writ petition challenging the appointment of retired Capt Shujaat Azeem as special assistant to prime minister on aviation.

Arguing on behalf of a private television anchor, petitioner Barrister Syed Ali Zafar stated the prime minister appointed Mr Azeem as a special assistant on aviation without following any process of appointment whatsoever and specifying any qualification criteria.

He said no process of advertisement or competition or examination of any candidate was conducted prior to the impugned appointment, and even the status and functions of special assistant never specified.

The counsel said Mr Azeem was appointed on the whim and fancy of the authorities, which was against the fundamental principles laid down by the superior courts.

Barrister Zafar pointed out that the respondent suffered from a blatant and very serious conflict of interest as much as he was also owner of a company under the nomenclature of Royal Airport Services, which carried out aircraft ground handling business at all airports in Pakistan.

He alleged the respondent had been giving concessions including landing rights to airlines in return for the airlines giving handling business to his company and this in law amounted to automatic disqualification on account of bias.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that the matter involved a question of interpretation of the Constitution and the validity of the appointment of a public office.

The judge issued a notice to the attorney general for appearance and filing of reply comments on behalf of the government on March 26.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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