Neither Sartaj Aziz nor Tariq Fatemi can assume duties of FM: CJ

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Thursday observed that the powers of a foreign minister could not be exercised by an advisor while hearing a petition against appointments of two advisors to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to the Dawn, a citizen, Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi, challenged the appointments of Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to Prime Minister Sharif on Foreign Affairs and Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs.

The petitioner also questioned the appointment of Sardar Mehtab Abbasi as Sharif's advisor on aviation.

The petitioner's counsel argued that Aziz and Fatemi had been running the Foreign Ministry like ministers. The counsel pointed out that the Prime Minister could appoint five advisors, but a big number of advisors had been working in violation of the rules.

A deputy attorney general objected to the maintainability of the petition and asked the court to dismiss the same. He argued that the petitioner had relied upon nothing concrete but press clippings.

The Chief Justice observed that the courts could be petitioned on the basis of clear and reliable media reports.

The Chief Justice said powers/roles of ministers and advisers had been clearly defined in the laws and an adviser could not assume the powers of a minister.

Chief Justice Shah adjourned further hearing till March 16 and sought more arguments from both sides - the petitioner and the government.