The LHC rejects a petition to remove Prime Minister Kakar.

LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed a plea to remove interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar from office for “failure to carry out his constitutional duties” on Monday.

The LHC’s Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan issued the ruling, which the court reserved earlier in the day after hearing arguments from both parties.

The petitioner, Advocate Muhammad Muqsit, maintained that the constitution only allowed for a caretaker government for 90 days. “The caretaker government has completed its 90-day tenure and the country is running without an executive,” he said.

The petitioner claimed that the caretaker prime minister failed to fulfill his constitutional duties by failing to hold elections on time. Muqsit had tainted the sanctity of the prime minister’s office.

“On November 15, Mr Kakar’s term expired, and he is no longer the caretaker prime minister,” the counsel concluded.

He said that neither the Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) nor any constitutional court extended the caretaker prime minister’s tenure. “I request the court to issue an order to remove the caretaker prime minister from office,” the prime minister said.

During the hearing, the judge inquired if the court had the authority to issue such an order to the caretaker prime minister.

According to the government’s attorney, Justice Raza Qureshi has already dismissed such a plea.

The court clarified that the case (to which the attorney was referring) concerned the caretaker chief minister, and that the Supreme Court had rendered a decision.

He stated that the election date had been issued on the decision of the Supreme Court, and that the caretaker prime minister had given assurances that elections would be held.

The administration’s counsel contended that the constitution made no mention of a caretaker government lasting more than 90 days. “How can a country run without an executive,” he said.

At one point, the petitioner stated that he desired that everything be done in accordance with the law.

The court questioned the petitioner on why he did not take the issue to the Supreme Court.

Advocate Muqsit stated that this was a severe matter, and a media source also expressed concerns about it. The judge was enraged by the response and stated that the media outlet in issue was not a party to the case. He objected to the mention of the news organization.

“Go and investigate why Pakistan was created and who designed it,” the court remarked, reprimanding the attorney for “beating around the bush.”

Justice Hassan urged the lawyer to discuss the constitution and the law. He inquired whether you had filed the petition after finishing your studies.

Following the arguments, the court reserved its ruling and announced it after a few hours.