Daily Times

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a reply from the federal government over the removal of Saeed Ahmed as the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president.

The court also issued notices to respondents in the petition, including prime minister’s principal secretary, finance secretary, Cabinet Division secretary, State Bank of Pakistan governor, NBP board of directors and the attorney general of Pakistan.

The federal cabinet, during its last meeting, had given approval for removal of Ahmed as chief of NBP over allegations of money laundering.

Subsequently, Ahmed challenged the government’s decision in the IHC.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah questioned, “Were orders given for removal of others as well or only Ahmed?”

The counsel for Ahmed responded, “An order was given for the removal of Ahmed but the appointment of a new NBP president had been approved by the federal cabinet and a press clipping of that was available.”

Justice Minallah then remarked, “Orders cannot be issued through newspaper clippings.”

The hearing of the case was then adjourned till September 10.

In his petition, Ahmed said that neither violated rules and regulations nor was any departmental inquiry pending against him.

He further stated that neither any charge was framed against him, nor was he served any show-cause notice, maintaining that suspending him without listening to his stance was illegal. The petition requested the court to declare the notification of his suspension null and void, and allow him to continue working.

Published in Daily Times, September 1^st 2018.