QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday discarded the petition filed by former speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani against his removal through a no-confidence motion, DawnNews reported.

A two-member becnch of the BHC comprising of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel and Justice Noor Muhammad resumed the hearing over a petition filed by the former speaker against his removal.

Former governor Punjab, Advocate Latif Khosa, representing Deputy Speaker Balochistan Assembly Matiullah Agha, told the court that the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court was abroad and since there was no acting chief justice, the hearing could not take place.

The court rejected the objection raised by Advocate Khosa.

During the hearing, Bhootani's counsels, Advocate Hadi Shakeel and Advocate Baz Mohammad Kakar, presented their arguments in the court.

In his remarks, Justice Mandokhel said that while the hearing on Bhootani's petition filed against his removal continues, no new speaker should be elected in the Balochistan Assembly.

Advocate General Balochistan, Amanullah Kinrani, told the court that it could not interfere in constitutional affairs, adding that any decision made by the court before the completion of the election process for the assembly speaker would be followed.

Earlier, the court had reserved its verdict and allowed for the election of Speaker Balochistan Assembly after listening to the advocate general's arguments.