Protocol for Nawaz, Maryam: LHC issues pre-admission notices to govt

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday issued notices to the federal and provincial governments on a petition against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz for enjoying official protocol. Justice Shahid Karim was hearing a petition moved by Andleeb Abbas of PTI through Ijaz Malik Advocate who argued that Nawaz had been enjoying state protocol in sheer violation of the laws despite the fact that he had been removed from his office. The lawyer also alleged that a hefty amount of Rs 2.18 million had been spent from public money on protocol provided to Nawaz and his daughter Maryam during their appearances before the JIT that held a probe into Panama Papers case. He pointed out that Supreme Court had disqualified the former prime minister on corruption charges, therefore, he could not use state protocol. Nawaz had been using Punjab House and 40 vehicles in addition to protocol, he added. He prayed to the court to issue a direction to the government authorities to withdraw the official protocol and Nawaz should also be stopped from holding meetings in the Punjab House. After hearing preliminary arguments, the court issued pre-admission notices to the federal and Punjab governments for December 21.