LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition against Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Pakistan.
The court announced its verdict reserved on Wednesday and declared the petition as inadmissible. Petitioner Ashaba Kamran’s counsel concluded his arguments on Wednesday, and the court had reserved its verdict.
The petitioner’s counsel contended that Ishaq Dar was enjoying the portfolio of foreign minister and was appointed as DPM also.
The counsel said the office of the DPM is neither mentioned in the constitution nor has any legal strength.
He, therefore, asked the court to declare the appointment of Dar as DPM without lawful authority and unconstitutional.
A law officer told the court that the foreign minister had been nominated as DPM.
He said Ishaq Dar was not appointed as DPM. However, he was nominated, the law officer added.
He also added that according to the law, the Prime Minister could nominate anyone for any position.
The law officer on a court query also clarified that Dar was not receiving any salary as the DPM. He was only drawing salary as the foreign minister.
The court reserved its decision, which was announced on Thursday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had appointed Ishaq Dar as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister on April 28.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024