City
Epaper

Women's rights organisation seeks removal of Pak envoy to UN

By IANS | Updated: November 1, 2019 20:10 IST

A leading women's rights organisation has filed a petition seeking the removal of Munir Akram as Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations, calling his re-appointment "illegal, unlawful and void-ab-initio".

Open in App

The petition in the Sindh High Court, filed by the Women's Action Forum (WAF) on Thursday, also mentioned the allegations of domestic abuse against the diplomat, according to Pakistani media reports.

The Pakistan government has appointed Akram as permanent ambassador to the UN replacing Maleeha Lodhi.

Akram had previously served in the same post from 2002 to 2008. The US, however, asked Pakistan to waive Akram's diplomatic immunity in 2003 so he could be prosecuted on assault charges after allegations that he had beaten a woman on December 10, 2002.

In its petition, the WAF said Akram's appointment by the government and the Foreign Affairs Ministry was illegal. The petition called upon the court to restrain Akram "from performing functions of the Ambassador / Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations".

The women's rights body noted that, according to Pakistani law, a retired civil servant cannot be re-hired by the federal government unless the grounds for the re-employment are concerned with the public interest.

"In light of the accusation of domestic violence, it is requested of the Honourable Court, to reflect on the impression this creates in the global environment, and also the impression made of the standards of behaviour reflective of official representatives," the petition read.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: pakistanAkramSindh High CourtWAF
Open in App

Related Stories

Cricket'India Hamare Baap The..': Pakistani Fan Abuses Men in Green After Loss to India in Asia Cup 2025 Final (Watch)

CricketIND vs PAK 2025 Live Streaming: Head-to-Head Record, When and Where to Watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final

Cricket'Abhishek Sharma Bigger Talent Than Yuvraj Singh': Former Pakistan Cricketer After IND vs PAK Match in Asia Cup 2025

Cricket'He Could Have Taken Side Angle': Former Cricket Umpire on Fakhar Zaman's Dismissal in IND vs PAK Super 4 Match of Asia Cup

Other SportsAfter Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistani Footballer Stirs Row With Controversial Gesture During IND vs PAK SAFF U17 Match (VIDEO)

International Realted Stories

InternationalNamibia launches new health frameworks for universal coverage

InternationalWi Sung-lac urges swift repatriation of South Koreans from Cambodia amid surging abuse cases

InternationalMoS Kirti Vardhan Singh meets Egyptian President Sisi at Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza Summit

InternationalBangladesh: Violent clash in Dhaka leaves several injured, including journalists

InternationalChaos, conflict and confusion prevails in Nepal politics after violent Gen-Z protests