IHC suspends Abrarul Haq’s Pakistan Red Crescent Society chairmanship

• President Arif Alvi had approved the appointment of Abrar ul Haq on November 15.
• Outgoing PRCS Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi said his own removal 'illegal' as he was appointed chairman for a period of three years.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended on Monday the notification of Abrarul Haq's appointment as chairman of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

Former PRCS chairman Saeed Elahi had moved the high court and challenged Haq’s appointment. The petition stated that Haq has been appointed as chairman for 3 years. “My term as chairman was same as Abrarul Haq which will be completed in March 2020”, the petition read, adding that it makes the deployment of Haq illegal.

He further said Haq’s appointment was a conflict of interest because he was running his Sahara Trust as well as a medical college. Elahi was appointed by the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz government as the PRCS chairman in 2014. However, last week, he was removed by President Arif Alvi. Reportedly, he was removed for openly criticising the government policies.

During the hearing today, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah suspended the singer-turned-politician's appointment and has issued notices to President Alvi, secretary cabinet division, secretary national health service and Haq. The hearing has been adjourned till November 29.

PRCS is a organization that provides emergency medical and relief services for Pakistanis. The society was founded in 1947 after Pakistan's independence by an order called The Pakistan Red Cross Order, led by Nurse Saloni Malik. It was later renamed the Red Crescent Society or the Red Crescent Order. Its headquarters are in Islamabad.