SC seeks govt reply on PPP petition against SBP governor

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the federal government to submit comments on a petition filed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Taj Haider challenging the appointment of Tariq Bajwa as Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the petition at the apex court’s Lahore registry.

It also summoned complete record of the SBP Governor’s appointment on next hearing.

On July 17, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed a petition filed by as many as 22 senators challenging the appointment of the SBP Governor.

Mr. Bajwa was appointed as the central bank governor by President Mamnoon Hussain on July 7, 2017 for a period of 3 years starting from the day he assumed his new responsibilities.

The senators belonging to various political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) moved the high court against the appointment last year.

They alleged that the then Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government ignored legal requirements and procedures for the appointment of the central bank governor.

The petitioners argued that the appointment was unlawful, and of no legal effect and requested the IHC to declare Bajwa’s appointment as illegal and unlawful.

A resolution seeking immediate removal of the SBP governor was also moved by the opposition at that time. However, the ministry of finance issued a statement saying the appointment was made in accordance with the State Bank Act 1956.