Clipping powers of the speaker: LHC denies stay to Parvez against ordinance by governor.

LAHORE -- The Lahore High Court on Monday turned down a request of Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to stay an ordinance issued by the governor clipping powers of the speaker.

Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi, however, issued a notice to the government and sought assistance from the advocate general of Punjab.

Earlier, Ahmad Awais and Azhar Siddique appeared before the court on behalf of the speaker.

The counsel asked the court to immediately stay the Punjab Laws (Repealing and Removal of Difficulties Ordinance 2022.

The judge observed that the challenge was against an ordinance and it would not be appropriate to issue a stay order without hearing the point of view of the government.

The judge sought replies from the respondents by June 24.

The petition filed by the speaker contends that the governor issued the ordinance in an unlawful manner and with a mala fide intention. It says the Punjab Assembly session was already in progress when the governor unlawfully promulgated the ordinance.

It argues that such an illegal act could not be justified under the law by any stretch of imagination as the promulgation of such ordinance negated the democratic principles and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution.

The petition states that the promulgation of the impugned ordinance was a device to legalise the plundering of public money and robbing the national exchequer by unconstitutional way.

'If the impugned ordinance is not struck down, it will amount to legalising the most heinous offence being committed by the respondents,' it adds.

It asks the court to set aside the ordinance along with subsequent notifications issued by the government.

The chief secretary, the law and parliamentary affairs secretary, the deputy speaker and the...