In a blow to the privatisation process by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government, the Islamabad High Court has set aside the notification regarding the formation of the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCoP).
After hearing arguments, the bench declared the formation of CCoP and the appointment of Prime Minister Imran Khan's advisors in the committee as illegal as because unlike ministers, advisors are not part of the federal government and are not responsible to Parliament in terms of Article 91(6) of the Constitution.
According to a report by Dawn, the IHC, in its short order on a petition, ruled that unelected advisers and special assistants could not head government's committees and subsequently set aside the notification of the CCoP, headed by Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
The petition was filed by lawmaker Rana Iradat Sharif Khan.
Lawmaker Iradat Sharif had challenged the April 25, 2019, notification that nominated Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to the PM on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, Senator Farogh Naseem, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, Minister for Privatisation Mohammadmian Soomro and Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan as members of the CCoP, said Dawn.
According to the petition, "Unlike ministers, advisers are not the part of the federal government, they do not take oath, they are not responsible to parliament in terms of Article 91(6) of the Constitution, they are not subject to the qualification and disqualification provided under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. Before and after their appointment, advisers are not bound to submit their statements of assets and liabilities...and they are not subject to any kind of scrutiny."
( With inputs from ANI )
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