Former defence secretary Lt General (r) Khalid Naeem Lodhi on Friday said that he would challenge his sacking in court because the prime minister had no justification in terminating his services.
Talking to Geo News, Lodhi said, “The prime minister has given no reason for sacking me. Actually I have been punished for not signing an affidavit prepared by the government, which was meant to prove that the military leaders’ replies in the court were against the prescribed rules and regulations. How could I sign a document that was not prepared by me and I was not aware of the exact contents.”
If the former defence secretary goes to the court to challenge his termination, it would further complicate the political crisis and create more problems for the government, according to observers.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Establishment Division has said that Lodhi sent the letters to the Supreme Court without seeking approval of the defence minister and also without getting the comments vetted from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs required under Rules of Business 1973, which have been framed under Article 99 of the Constitution.
The spokesman said that when the defence minister sought an explanation from Lodhi for not observing the legal provision, he submitted that he was new to the job and was, therefore, ignorant of the rules.
He said the defence minister then referred the matter to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for expert views which informed him that Lodhi’s action was in utter and gross violation of the mandatory rule.
Ex-defence secy to challenge sacking
