ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court has issued a notice to Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, the envoy-designate to the United States, on a petition challenging his appointment.
A single bench headed by Justice Athar Minallah began hearing of a petition filed by Shahzad Siddiqui Alvi who requested the court to declare the prospective appointment a “violation of law, equity, justice, fairness and public policy”.
The court also issued notices to attorney general Ashtar Ausaf, secretaries of cabinet division and foreign ministry and PM’s principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad.
The petition was filed through counsels Advocate Chaudhry Hasan Murtaza Mann and Barrister Sajeel Sheryar Swati on Monday and it seeks the annulment of probable appointment of Siddiqui, who is currently serving as special assistant to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The petitioner highlighted that Pakistan’s ambassador to the US should be known for “experience, achievements and eminence in the arena of diplomacy in the best interest of the nation”.
Requesting the court to direct relevant authorities to appoint a suitable candidate, the petitioner also urged the government to clarify the investment banker’s appointment as special assistant to the premier with the status of minister of state.
Siddiqui, who is the son of a renowned businessman and banker Jahangir Siddiqui, was appointed as US envoy on March 8, however, he has not assumed the charge.
Moreover, the National Accountability Bureau is also investigating the investment banker over allegations of financial misappropriation.
