ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday decided to set up a larger bench to hear a petition seeking disqualification of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for holding an Iqama (foreign work permit).
Justice Aamer Farooq while announcing the verdict regarding maintainability of the petition said that a larger bench will take up the case filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar.
The judge has sent the case to the IHC chief Justice recommending the formation of a larger bench in this regard.
In August this year, Dar had filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the disqualification of Foreign Minister Khawja Asif.
Dar alleged that the foreign minister had not declared his iqama in nomination papers for General Elections 2013; therefore, he is not more honest and ameen. The petitioner had asked the court to disqualify Khawaja Asif on these grounds.
Usman Dar had also revealed the iqama of the minister and intended to move the court.
According to the iqama, Asif is an employee of a company in Dubai and drawing a monthly salary of AED50, 000 for his services as Management Consultant.
After his iqama, a work permit and labour card was also released to the media.
Responding to the accusations, Asif had said that he had declared his salary received through the Iqama with the authorities for the last 27 years.
Dar was an opponent of Asif in NA-110 during the previous general elections.
