Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the “extended stay” of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar. Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan deemed the plea non-maintainable, expressing reservations about entertaining such applications.
During the proceedings, Justice Bilal questioned the court’s authority to issue an order for the caretaker PM. The law officer cited a previous dismissal by Justice Raza Qureshi for a similar petition.
In compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, the Election Commission of Pakistan had set the election date, noted Justice Bilal. The petitioner, Muhammad Muqsit Saleem, argued that the caretaker government ceased to exist on November 15, 2023, urging the court to consider the serious implications.
Saleem emphasized the caretaker government’s crucial role in overseeing administration, ensuring fair polls, and maintaining law and order. He criticized the government for exceeding the statutory limit, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights.
The court dismissed the plea as un-maintainable, sparking a legal debate over the extended stay of the caretaker government and raising concerns about its legitimacy.
