Pakistan SC to hear plea challenging appointments of FS, new Indian envoy

Lahore, July 31 : The Lahore High Court on Monday referred to the Supreme Court a petition challenging the appointments of Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and new High Commissioner to India Suhail Mehmood by the former Nawaz Sharif government.

Lahore High Court Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza heard the plea of Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi, who contended that the government had appointed the "junior most" officers to the most important positions.

The petitioner argued that in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict disqualifying Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 28, such appointments should be declared null and void.

The PIL contended that the two appointments by the Sharif government were in violation of the constitution and also affected the country's foreign policy.

He also urged that his petition should be referred to the apex court, upon which Justice Mirza referred it to the Supreme Court.

Pakistan had in May announced its new envoy to India Sohail Mahmood, who will replace current High Commissioner Abdul Basit. Basit was appointed as Pakistan's envoy to India in 2014.

Tehmina Janjua was appointed as the country's first woman Foreign Secretary in February.