LHC throws out plea against appointment of FM Ishaq Dar as deputy PM

Pronouncing a reserved verdict, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday threw out the petition filed against the appointment of Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar as the country’s deputy prime minister, saying it was inadmissible for the hearing, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan pronounced the decision on the petition filed by Ashaba Kamran in which she had argued that despite the fact that Dar already held the portfolio of a foreign minister, still he was appointed as the deputy prime minister.

The petitioner was of the view that the office of the deputy prime minister was neither mentioned in the constitution nor had any legal strength.

She, therefore, prayed to the court to declare the appointment of the respondent as deputy prime minister unlawful and unconstitutional.

A law officer told the court that the foreign minister had only been nominated, and not appointed as the deputy prime minister.

Replying to a court query, he also said that Dar was not drawing a single penny against the office of the deputy prime minister.

The court after hearing both the sides at length reserved its verdict.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was appointed as the country's deputy prime minister two weeks ago.

"The prime minister has been pleased to designate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Ishaq Dar as the deputy prime minister with immediate effect and until further orders," a statement from the prime minister Office said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Dar's son is married to the daughter of a three-time Prime Minister and Shehbaz Sharif's elder brother, Nawaz Sharif.

Reporter: Malik Ashraf