LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought replies from the federal government and other respondents on a petition challenging the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 that mainly paved the way for continuation of incumbent chairman of the NAB retired justice Javed Iqbal on the post till the appointment of the successor.

A division bench headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi was hearing the petition filed by Saeed Zafar, a lawyer by profession.

In his initial arguments, the petitioner stated that the government promulgated the ordinance only to benefit the sitting chairman of the NAB. He said a person-specific law had no value in the eye of law.

The petitioner argued that the issuance of the ordinance in the presence of the parliament was a violation of the Constitution.

He asked the court to set aside the newly promulgated ordinance for being unconstitutional. As interim relief, the petitioner also urged the court to suspend the operations of the ordinance till a final decision of the petition.

After hearing the arguments, the bench issued notices to the respondents for their replies by Nov 19.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2021