IHC grants AAG time for arguments preparation in petition challenging PRCS chief appointment.

Byline: SHAHID RAO

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday granted time to Additional Attorney General for preparation of arguments in a petition challenging appointment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Abrarul Haq as chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of the petition moved by Dr Saeed Elahi former chairman of Pakistan Red Crescent Society and deferred the hearing till December 26 by maintaining stay orders in this matter.

During the hearing, Justice Athar remarked that appointment was an administrative matter and the court would review its legal aspects. The petitioner's lawyer adopted that PRCS chairman's tenure was three years in accordance to rules and his client's tenure was going to expire on March 9, 2020.

The IHC bench noted that the chairman could hand over the charge after he resigned from his post. It added that if the chairman commits any misconduct then a show-cause notice should be issued to him and an inquiry could be initiated against him in accordance of the rules.

Justice Athar asked from the Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood that whether there was any other procedure to remove chairman PRCS from his post. At this, Tariq replied that the rules were silent in this regard.

The Islamabad High Court chief justice remarked that the office of the President was authorised to take decision only in accordance of laws and said that it was an important matter.

Then he asked the Additional Attorney General to take more time for arguments and deferred the hearing till December 26 in this connection.

Previously, Justice Athar noted in his order, 'In the meanwhile, operation of notification regarding appointment of respondent no.5 and removal of the petitioner shall remain suspended till the next date fixed.'

Justice Athar said in the order that the petitioner's counsel has drawn the attention of this court to rule 11(b) in support of his contention that the tenure of the Chairman of Managing Body of the Society is fixed for a period of three years unless the latter resigns earlier. 'The learned counsel has stated that there is no power...