IHC bars PM’s aide Hanif Abbasi from performing duties

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday barred Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi from working as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister till next hearing.  

According to details, IHC Chief Justice Minallah issued the remarks while hearing a petition submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed. 

The court directed Abbasi not to hold a public office till the next hearing, which has been adjourned till May 27. 

In the meantime, Abbasi’s counsel Ahsan Bhon argued the office of the special assistant is not a “public office,” thus he shouldn’t be halted from performing his duties.

Hanif Abbasi was appointed as special assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 27 and his selection was, later, challenged by former Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid. 

In his plea, PTI leader termed Abbasi’s appointment as ‘illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional’.

The petitioner revealed that a case was registered against him in Rawalpindi in 2012 under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. 

Rasheed also argued that the PM’s aide was handed over a life imprisonment in 2018 and later he challenged the sentence in the Lahore High Court (LHC).   

In April 2019, the LHC only suspended Abbasi’s sentence and not the conviction, Rasheed maintained. 

However, the court directed the premier to review Abbasi’s appointment as special assistant on May 9.