ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its judgement on the plea of former Defence Secretary Lt Gen (R) Khalid Naeem Lodhi, against his termination on the charges of ‘gross misconduct’.

A single-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Muhammad Azim Khan Afridi resumed hearing of the petition on Friday filed by defence secretary through his lawyer.

During the course of the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri apprised the bench that any contract employee could not file any writ under the article 199 of the constitution against his termination.

He contended that the arguments presented by the petitioner’s counsel were not relevant to the case. Moreover, Jahangiri argued that the allegations leveled by the petitioner against his termination were not base on the facts, requesting the court to dismiss Lodhi’s plea against his sacking.

After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its judgment which is likely to be announced next week.

The former defence secretary was sacked by the government on Jan 11, 2012. A statement from the Prime Minister’s office had said: “General Lodhi was dismissed for gross misconduct and illegal action … and for creating misunderstanding between institutions.”

Lodhi had filed contested his government’s decision in the courts, claiming he had been terminated unlawfully and without being given any notice.