LAHORE, Jan 11: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought reply from the Punjab governor on a writ petition challenging appointment of governor's former adviser Zahid Bashir as Red Cross Society Punjab chapter chairman.

The society's members, Liaquat Ali and Muhammad Munawar, filed the petition submitting that the governor being president of the Red Cross Society appointed Mr Bashir as new chairman by removing Mian Muhammad Hanif on Jan 6, 2012. They said the impugned appointment was made ignoring merit and purely on political grounds.

The petitioners also alleged that Mr Bashir soon after taking over charge as the society's chairman started misusing his powers and wasting its resources.

Theyprayedtothecourtto set aside the notification of appointment and also requested to restrain the governor from interfering in society's affairs.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the arguments and sought reply from the respondents by Feb 18.