The Prime Minister sought details of appointments made without the approval of the Cabinet

Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the appointments made without the approval of the federal government and sought details of the appointment of all such officers.

The letter issued by the Prime Minister's Office mentioned the decisions of the Islamabad High Court dated April 23, 2020, and the decisions of the Supreme Court dated August 18, 2016.

It may be recalled that the appointment of Vidya Khalil, chairperson of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and its members Dr. Muhammad Saleem and Dr. Shehzad Ansar was declared unconstitutional by the Islamabad High Court.

The court had said in its order that the appointments were not submitted to the federal cabinet for consideration but using the delegated powers, the prime minister had approved the proposal of the then finance minister in which the cabinet was bypassed. Was

A letter issued by PM Imran Khan's secretary Azam Khan also referred to the Supreme Court decision in the Mustafa Max case.

The Supreme Court had ruled on August 18, 2016, that the federal government refers to the Prime Minister and his cabinet and that only the prime minister or any minister or secretary can represent the federal cabinet alone.

The Supreme Court had said that when a law requires a decision of the federal government, it should mean the decision of the cabinet, including the prime minister.

Therefore, under the aforesaid High Court orders, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed all Federal Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, in-charge of all departments to submit details of all such appointments after August 18, 2016, for which Cabinet or Federal Government approval. Was required and was appointed without this approval.

Read more: Executive authority is accountable to Parliament, not courts, Islamabad High Court

The list was also directed to include all appointments made by delegating the powers of the federal cabinet to a federal minister or secretary without jurisdiction.

The Prime Minister directed that all these proceedings are completed within a week ie April 30 and the lists prepared to be presented at the Cabinet meeting on May 5.