Nawaz Sharif's 'knighthood' challenged in Lahore HC

'Knighthood' was given to Sharif by the British monarch in 1997

An honourary title given to the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Queen Elizabeth II was challenged on Friday in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on the grounds that it was a "mark of slavery" and against the "national interest".

The 'knighthood' given to Sharif by the British monarch in 1997 was challenged in the court by barrister Javed Iqbal Jaffery.

"Sharif has become prime minister again and the LHC has been requested to order him return the title to the British Queen as he had lowered dignity of Pakistanis by accepting a title of slavery," Jeffery said.

The petitioner said Sharif's decision to receive the title was also a violation of the Pakistan Constitution Articles 2-A and 249 as he should have taken the Parliament and the Cabinet into confidence before agreeing to receive the title.

The court will fix the date of hearing in the case next week.