- Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid had approached the LHC against appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as caretaker Punjab Chief Minister, saying that free and fair elections are not possible under the present caretaker setup led by Naqvi.
Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday dismissed the plea challenging appointment of caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to conduct free and fair elections in Punjab.
Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC announced the verdict reserved earlier after hearing arguments of both sides.
Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed filed the petition and challenged the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi. Sheikh Rashid is the close ally of the PTI Chief.
Advocate Azhar Siddique represented Sheikh Rashid and argued that the ECP brought Naqvi to the CM office. The ECP, he argued, appointed him on the basis of what criteria.
Justice Karim remarked that had the both sides agreed on the proposed names the matter would have not gone to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The PTI, from the day one Mohsin Naqvi was appointed as the Punjab Chief Minister, objected to his name and said that he was the so-called son of Asif Ali Zardari—the PPP co-chairman.
Sheikh Rashid in his petition argued that Mohsin Naqvi was not suitable candidate for the caretaker setup as he had close ties and connection with Asif Ali Zardari. He said that the elections could not be held free and fair under the caretaker setup led by Mohsin Naqvi.
He also gave references of different tactics allegedly being used by the caretaker government in Punjab. He argued that the free and fair elections were not possible under the present caretaker set up led by Mohsin Naqvi.
He asked the court to remove Mohsin Naqvi from the office of Punjab Chief Minister.
