ISLAMABAD: The appointments of five special assistants to the prime minister have been challenged before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The petitioner, advocate G.M. Chaudhry, has challenged the appointments of special assistant on political affairs Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani, special assistant on economic affairs Miftah Ismail, special assistant on media affairs Dr Musadik Malik, special assistant on law Barrister Zafarullah Khan and special assistant on institutional reforms Kh. Zaheer Ahmed.

The aforementioned officials were also working with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif since 2013, and were reappointed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

According to the petitioner, the officials do not possess any specialisations in their respective areas, which were assigned to them because they were favoured by the former prime minister.

Mr Chaudhry has asked the IHC to declare the actions, decisions and exercise of any power under any law, as well as the receipt of any financial benefits – including salaries, allowances, perks and privileges – illegal and direct for them to be recovered.

In his petition, he claimed there is no constitutional provision, law or rule that enables the prime minister appointment any individual as a special assistant with the status of a minister of state.

There are also no prescribed terms and conditions, criteria or other requirements, he said, for the post of the special assistant and “none can be appointed as the Special Assistant under the Constitution, law or any rules, etc., whatsoever”. He maintained that Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business provides an explanation for a special assistant to the prime minister, but no post of office can be create under the Rules of Business.

He alleged that the officials did not have “any outstanding intellectual credentials or recognition as well as specializations except being political stooges and toadies of a particular person or a political party”.

The petitioner called the selection and appointment of special assistants a misuse of the discretion and public office, cognisable under various laws. He asked the court to declare the appointments void.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2017