ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday barred the government from appointing a new defence secretary, DawnNews reported

The court accepted the petition for a formal hearing of ex-defence secretary Lt-Gen (r) Naeem lodhi against his removal.

Justice Azeem Khan Afridi also issued an interim order to the acting Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi to continue her office till further orders.

The court would now issue its verdict after assessing the constitutional and legal standing of Lodhi’s sacking.