ISLAMABAD – Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Asif on Monday challenged the formation of a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to hear a petition filed by PTI’s Usman Dar seeking his disqualification case over holding Iqama (work permit).
The foreign minister submitted a 7-page reply to the court challenging the decision made on September 23. Asif said that he has been deprived of the right to appeal with the formation of the bench.
He further said that the petitioner has used all legal remedies to disqualify him from Parliament.
The larger bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani and Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb had sought a reply from Asif today.
On September 18, Justice Aamer Farooq while announcing the verdict regarding maintainability of the PTI’s petition said that a larger bench will take up the case.
The judge had 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 IIHC seeking the disqualification of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif.
Dar alleged that the foreign minister had not declared his iqama in his 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 were 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.
