LHC adjourns petition against 'unelected' advisors in federal cabinet

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned the hearing of the petition filed against appointments of unelected advisors in the federal cabinet till May 6, ARY News reported.

The high court conducted hearing of the case filed against the unelected advisors in the federal cabinet which parties finance minister, Abdul Razzak Dawood, Amin Aslam, Dr Ishratul Ebad and other.

However, the petitioner sought time from the court for amendment in the petition.

The petition raised objections over the new federal cabinet over appointments of unelected members. It also stated that only a Member of National Assembly (MNA) could be authorised to use powers of a federal minister.

It sought LHC to declare the new federal cabinet as illegal and impose restriction of the cabinet members till its verdict.

On April 18, the federal cabinet had been reshuffled with the resignation of Asad Umar as finance minister and appointment of noted economist Hafeez Shaikh as Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance.

In a statement issued from the Prime Minister House, it was informed that Mr Shaikh would be appointed as the country’s financial manager.

Mr Shaikh has served as finance minister from 2010 to 2013 and as Minister of Privatization and Investment during from 2003 to 2006.

Ms Firdous Aashiq Awan is set to replace Fawad Chaudhry but as a Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting as she is not a parliamentarian.

Nadeem Babar has been appointed as Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Petroleum Division whereas Zafarullah Mirza was appointed as Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health.