LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices to the federal government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and other respondents on a petition of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed challenging the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.

After hearing initial arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, Justice Shahid Karim issued notices to the respondents for submission of their replies by Feb 13.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, the counsel for the petitioner, alleged that the respondent (Naqvi) was the owner of a media house that was prima facie involved in ‘regime change’ against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and he had been actively working for the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). He further alleged that Mr Naqvi was involved in a case of corruption and corrupt practices made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) where he opted for a voluntary return of the ill-gotten money. He said the respondent was a convict.

The counsel pleaded that the Section 15 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 envisaged that an accused person convicted of an offence under Section 9 shall forthwith cease to hold public office and shall stand disqualified. He submitted that under Article 218 of the Constitution, it was the duty of the ECP to make necessary arrangements to ensure fair and free elections.

He asked the court to set aside the appointment of Mr Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister as being illegal and unconstitutional and declare that the ECP and its members violated the constitutional and statutory requirements while making the appointment.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2023