LAHORE - Justice Ijazul Ahsan of the Lahore High Court on Friday turned down an application filed by an advocate seeking directions for Maryam Nawaz Sharif to stop her working as chairperson of Prime Minister Youth Loan Programme (PMYLP).
The judge turned down application holding that stay order could not be issued without hearing the other party and issued notice to federal government and sought reply within 10 days.
The judge passed this order on a miscellaneous application filed by advocate Sheraz Zaka heard with the main petition challenging appointment of Maryam Nawaz as chairperson of PMYLP.
The petitioner Iqtidar Shah had filed the main petition against appointment of Maryam Nawaz Sharif as chairperson of PMYLP. The petitioner said that government issued a notification on November 22, 2013 pertaining to appointment of Maryam Nawaz, as chairperson of Prime Minister Youth Loan Programme.
He pointed out that appointment was made in violation of law and set criteria as neither a public notice nor an advertisement was issued before appointment.
The petitioner submitted that prior consultation with Council of Common Interests was mandatory under the law but the appointment was made without following the said procedure.
Giving the reference of Anita Turab’s case in the court, the petitioner said that the violation was done in her appointment as chairperson and SC had ruled that all appointments would be made on merit and in transparent manner.
The petitioner said that notification was issued on the directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wherein the name of Maryam was mentioned as Maryam Nawaz Sharif which was incorrect. He argued that her original name was Maryam Safdar and not Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
He said the prime minister violated Article 91(5) of the Constitution by concealing the facts. The petitioner prayed the court to set aside appointment of Maryam Nawaz Sharif as chairperson PMYLP.
The petitioner prayed the court to restrain Maryam from working till the final disposal of main petition.