ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday directed the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the appointment of Hanif Abbasi as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM).

 

The court also issued notices to the federation through the Cabinet Division Secretary as well as Hanif Abbasi. The petition challenging the appointment of PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi as SAPM was filed by the Awami Muslim League chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.

 

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had filed the plea against Hanif Abbasi’s appointment as SAPM after Mr Abbasi announced in a statement a reward of Rs50,000 to anyone who brought him Sheikh Rashid’s wig. Sheikh Rashid contended in his plea that Hanif Abbasi was a convicted person, thus he could not be appointed as SAPM. He said although his sentence was suspended by the high court, however, his conviction was still in the field.

 

During the Monday’s hearing, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah called Sheikh Rashid to the rostrum and regretted that accusations were being made against the courts at public gatherings. The Chief Justice asked Sheikh Rashid ‘had he and his ally PTI trusted in the IHC.

 

Sheikh Rashid replied that he had trust in the court, thus he approached it. About the PTI leader’s statements that why courts were opened in the night, the Chief Justice told Sheikh Rashid that his lawyers must have told him that there are rules and the chief justice can take up a case at any time. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing until May 17.