Resuming the hearing of federation's review petition against apex court's verdict that had barred prime minister from exercising discretionary powers to grant development funds, a three-member bench on Wednesday issued notices to former prime minister Raja Pervez Asharaf and others in the matter.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar-led bench resumed the hearing of a review petition and issued notices to six persons, including Raja Pervez Ashraf, so that their point of view should be heard before furthering the adjudication of case. The bench issued notices to former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, former federal law minister Mola Bux Chandio and others including Anwer Ali Cheema, Liaqat Ali, Muhammad Hayat Khan and Syed Muhammad Ali for the first week of November.
Appearing before the bench, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Salman Aslam Butt pleaded that constitutional provisions authorised prime minister to exercise discretionary powers for the issuance of development funds. However, the AGP didn't defend Raja Pervez Ashraf, saying the present government doesn't want to plead the case of issuance of development funds by the past government and the matter of PPRA rules violation by them.
The AGP contended that the federal government will plead in the current matter under the Articles 83, 84 and 164 of Constitution because it is a matter of constitutional nature that prime minister has discretionary powers to grant development funds or otherwise. Meanwhile, during the hearing, the bench dismissed identical review petitions including that of SNGPL over the purchase of gas meters in the instant matter. Later, the hearing of matter was adjourned till the first week of November.