LHC bins plea against Mohsin Naqvi's appointment as Punjab CM

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday rejected a plea challenging appointment of Mohsin Raza Naqvi as the caretaker Punjab chief minister, ARY News reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Jan 22 appointed Mohsin Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister after the parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus.

The verdict was reserved by Justice Shahid Karim on the plea moved by Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed after hearing arguments from both sides.

In today’s hearing, the LHC bench asked: “If the petitioner had himself recommended any name.” “The petitioner is a voter,” Shaikh Rasheed’s counsel replied.

“Which names were suggested by the sides for the caretaker chief minister,” Justice Shahid Karim questioned. “Ahad Cheema and Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera’s name were suggested. These names underscore the seriousness of the parties,” court remarked.

“From the day one everyone knew, Mohsin Raza Naqvi will be chief minister,” petitioner’s lawyer said.

“We only have to see what process adopted for appointment of Mohsin Naqvi. The election commission have authority for nomination of the caretaker chief minister,” the court observed.

“Caretaker chief minister only have a mandate to hold election, what one could say when the election commission itself opts not to hold election,” the bench observed.

In previous hearing the court had issued notices to the respondents and summoned reply in the case.

Rasheed in his plea terming Naqvi’s appointment as ‘illegal and against the merit’ pleaded with the court to nullify notification of Naqvi’s appointment.