ISLAMABAD: The presidential ordinance issued to give constitutional protection to all legislative and administrative measures taken by Yousuf Raza Gilani as the prime minister between April 26 and June 19, was challenged in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

The petitioner,  Shahid Orakzai, was of the view that the issuance of the presidential ordinance violates the parliament’s right of law making.

The ordinance also tries to undermine the constitutional rights of the apex court, the petitioner said.

Orakzai pleaded the SC to declare the ordinance void.

Earlier Former federal law minister Babar Awan  said “The practice of issuing ordinances should be discouraged as assemblies are there to decide the issues.”

President Asif Ali Zardari issued an ordinance on Sunday to provide a legal blanket to all legislative and administrative actions taken by Gilani between the time of his conviction and disqualification by the Supreme Court.