On Wednesday, a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) aiming to bar PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif from chairing administrative meetings due to his lack of any official position.
The petitioner, Mushkoor Hussain, named former Premier Nawaz Sharif as a respondent, arguing that without holding an official position in either the provincial or federal governments, Sharif cannot chair administrative meetings or issue directives to the Punjab cabinet and state functionaries. According to the petitioner, Nawaz Sharif is solely a member of the National Assembly.
The petition highlighted that Nawaz Sharif had chaired three administrative meetings of the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, which raised significant constitutional concerns.
The petitioner pointed out an official handout issued after one such meeting, indicating that Sharif had given directions regarding various infrastructure projects, the plight of farmers, electric bikes for students, and a Ramadan relief package.
Meetings held are “Illegal”
The petitioner labelled the act of chairing meetings and issuing directives by the former premier as ‘illegal’, asserting that it violates the Constitution, democratic norms, and Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011. It is widely believed that despite lacking an official role in the province, Nawaz Sharif wields considerable influence over major decisions.
During a special meeting chaired by Nawaz Sharif alongside Maryam Nawaz, the pressing need to address potential utility price hikes imposed by a global lender was stressed. Additionally, emphasis was placed on prioritising farmers’ concerns, ensuring fair compensation for their labour, and shielding them from exploitation.
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In a crucial meeting on March 18, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, alongside Nawaz Sharif, focused on enhancing transportation infrastructure in the province, including an underground train project in Lahore and metro bus projects in three cities.
During this meeting, the chief minister emphasised detailed planning for the Lahore underground train project and made decisions regarding metro bus projects and bike allocations for students, reiterating the government’s responsibility to support students financially.