ISLAMABAD: Justice Athar Minallah of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday appointed ‘amicus curies’ for his assistance in the matter related to the appointment of Maryam Nawaz Sharif as chairperson Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme.

After hearing the preliminary arguments in the petition filed against the said appointment, Justice Minallah constituted a panel of four amicus curies namely senators Rafiq Rajwana of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Raza Rabbani of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Farogh Nasim of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf’s Hamid Khan to assist the court.

Justice Minallah also issued notices to Maryam Nawaz and Secretary Cabinet Division.

The petitioner’s counsel Yasir Chaudhry contended that the Cabinet Division issued the appointment notification of Maryam Nawaz Sharif on November 22, 2013 but did not make it public.

Furthermore it was argued that the said appointment was made without inviting applications and without publishing the vacancy in the newspapers.

He alleged that Maryam Nawaz was appointed as chairperson of the youth loan scheme because she was the daughter of sitting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said that the appointment was made in sheer violation of the principles of equality and was unconstitutional.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2014