LAHORE–The Lahore High Court on Friday barred Zahid Bashir from performing duties as chairman of Red Crescent Society (RCS) till next date of hearing on a petition challenging his appointment.
Mr Bashir was appointed recently by Punjab governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa after removing Haji Muhammad Hanif from the post. Members of RCS including Liaqat Ali and Muhammad Munawar had challenged the appointment of Zahid Bashir as chairman by submitting that he had been appointed on political basis and illegally. As the court resumed hearing, Jahanzeb Bharwana, counsel for Bashir, submitted that governor was fully authorized to remove and appoint new chairman of the RCS. According to section 5 of Halal-e-Ahmer Society Act, managing body of the RCS is authorized to make rules and governor can appoint chairman. He said the managing body made rules against the law by barring the governor from exercising his powers. The governor also had issued show cause notice to the managing committee in this regard.
Petitioners’ counsels Waqar A. Sheikh and Azhar Siddque contended that according to the law, the governor can appoint the first chairman but not afterwards. The managing committee by amending the rules declared its consultation necessary for making appointment of the chairman.