ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday suspended appointments and transfers orders on key government posts during the tenure of caretaker set up.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry admitted for hearing a petition filed by PML-N leader Khawaja Mohammad Asif challenging transfers and postings as well as shuffling of senior government officials by the caretaker government.
During the hearing, the petitioner requested the court to declare the actions taken by the caretaker government as unconstitutional, illegal and void ab initio. The constitutional conventions command and mandate the caretaker set-up only to the extent of holding free and fair elections.
The Attorney General Irfan Qadir said transfers and postings were needed to run the daily business. He requested the apex court to give some time so that he could take instructions from the government.
The court later canceled the transfers and postings made by caretaker government, and adjourned the hearing till June 4.
Chief Justice observed that caretaker government had no mandate for postings and transfers and its only job was to hold general elections.
DND
