Participation of advisors, SAPMs in meetings: LHC seeks affidavit from federal govt

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice on Wednesday sought an affidavit from the federal government through secretary cabinet division to confirm the participation of the advisors and Special Assistants to Prime Minister (SAPMs) in the cabinet meetings to the extent of the sessions relevant to their portfolios.

The Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan passed these directions after noting a reply filed by a law officer on behalf of the principal secretary to the Prime Minister in a petition of a bar member Nadeem Sarwar challenging the appointments of the respondent advisors and SAPMs.

The Chief Justice noted that the reply suggested the advisors and SAPMs remained present during the whole meetings of the cabinet whereas they were supposed to attend sessions relevant to their respective portfolios only.

The CJ warned the law officer that this practice of the advisors/SAPMs could have dire consequences.

A counsel of former SAPM on petroleum Nadeem Babar told the court that his client had tendered resignation.

The Chief Justice, however, observed that the reports in the media suggested that Babar had been removed.

The court was further informed that advisor to Prime Minister on finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh had also resigned as federal minister for finance.

The petitioner contended that the respondents being not members of the National Assembly could not exercise authority and power of the federal government, which was a domain of elected representatives of the people.

He said the appointment of dual national special assistants was also against the national interest and defence of Pakistan.

He said the appointment of special assistants and advisors conferring the title of state ministers and perks and privileges is in utter disregard of the constitutional mandate. The cabinet division in its reply had questioned the locus standi of the petitioner.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021