Ishaq Dar's appointment as deputy prime minister challenged in Sindh High Court

Sindh High Court (SHC) heard the petition challenging the appointment of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as Deputy Prime Minister on Friday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Advocate Tariq Mansoor as petitioner submitted a petition against the appointment in the SHC and said there is no post of Deputy Prime Minister in the constitution.

During the hearing, the petitioner Advocate Tariq Mansoor argued that there is no provision for the post of Deputy Prime Minister in Articles 90, 91 and 99 of the Constitution as well as the federal government's Rules of Business 1973 also has no provision in this regard.

Advocate Tariq Mansoor contended that neither the federal government's 1973 Rules of Business nor Articles 90, 91, or 99 of the Constitution contain a provision for the post of Deputy Prime Minister in the country.

In a counterargument, the court gave remarks that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was also appointed as Deputy Prime Minister [in the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) tenure from 2008 to 2013].

Replying to this, Advocate Tariq Mansoor told the court that the Supreme Court has already rejected the appointment of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

The petitioner said the Supreme Court has declared in its decision that the cabinet will only consist of the Prime Minister and federal ministers.

He further stated that there are also orders of the Supreme Court in this regard so time should be given to him to submit the Supreme Court and other orders.

The court accepted the petitioner's appeal and adjourned further hearing till May 16.

Reporter: Mumtaz Jamali