LAHORE, Oct 26: The Lahore High Court Chief Justice on Wednesday sought a reply from the federal government on a writ petition challenging the appointment of Admiral Fasih Bokhari (retired) as chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Barrister Javed Iqbal Jaffrey filed the petition and pleaded that the mandatory procedure was not followed for the NAB chairman appointment.

He said the federal government had not consulted opposition, PML-N and the Chief Justice of Pakistan which was a violation of the constitution.

He further said that the government action was based on mala fide intentions and appointment of Fasih Bokhari should be declared null and void.

Further hearing on the petition will be held on Nov 4.

DAMAGES PLEA: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to PML-N MPA Ms Nighat Nasir on a petition seeking recovery of Rs500 million damages allegedly for character assassination of PML-Q MPA Dr Faiza Asghar.

Dr Faiza through her counsel submitted that the respondent MPA (Ms Nighat) by levelling false allegations of corruption against her (petitioner) damaged her reputation in society.

The petitioner said the allegations against her which never proved true caused her serious mental stress and torture.

She prayed that the respondent MPA be directed to pay her Rs500 million as damages for levelling baseless allegations and tarnishing her image in society.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed issued notice for Nov 15 and sought reply from the respondent MPA.

PML-N rally: A writ petition was filed on Wednesday in the Lahore High Court praying to ban the PML-N protest rally being held in the city on Oct 28.

Advocate Abdul Hameed Rana filed the petition and contended that the government machinery was being used to make the PML-N rally successful.

He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif violated the public mandate by holding the rally and committed a breach of trust.

The petitioner prayed that the PML-N be barred from taking out its protest rally by declaring the act illegal.