KARACHI, Sept 2: A division bench of the Sindh High Court dismissed in limine a petition moved by a retired judicial officer against the candidature of former chief justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui for the office of president and fined the petitioner Rs100,000 for making a frivolous plea and wasting the court’s time.

Abdul Wahab Abbasi alleged in his petition that Justice Siddiqui, in his capacity as the chief justice of the Sindh High Court, had indulged in pick and choose while making appointments to the posts of additional district and sessions judges. Four of the successful candidates were dropped from consideration in 1990 because of their crossing the maximum age limit and the then SHC chief justice was asked by the government to recommend four more eligible candidates.

He (the petitioner) topped the list of the remaining candidates but he had to wait till 1995 for appointment as ADSJ. Because of the delay in his appointment, he retired as ADSJ, he contended. The CJ’s conduct disqualified him under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, the petitioner alleged.

Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani, who constituted the bench that heard the petition, observed that the petitioner had no case and had merely wasted the court’s time by making a frivolous plea. —Staff Reporter