Disqualification case: IHC issues notice to Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry regarding a petition filed against seeking his disqualification.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing on the application. It also issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the law ministry and asked the three to submit their response within two weeks.

During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah asked the advocate whether the court should intervene in political affairs. 

The IHC Justice remarked, “Satisfy the court!.”  To which, the lawyer pleaded that the minster had concealed his assets while submitting his nomination papers to the ECP and should be disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution. The lawyer added, “The land he owns in Jhelum was not declared in his nomination papers with the ECP.”

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The lawyer of the petitioner said, “Fawad Chaudhry did not declare land he owns in Jhelum, he is not Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy).” To this, Justice Minallah asked: “Which person is sadiq and amin?”

Justice Minallah stated that the court has always discouraged its involvement in cases filed on political grounds as political affairs should be dealt at political forums.

The petition submitted against Fawad Chaudhry has pleaded with the court to disqualify the Minister under Article 62 (1) (f)  from holding public office as he had not disclosed documents containing his proprietary information.