ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Aamer Farooq on Monday reserved his decision on the maintainability of a petition against Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for allegedly owning an Iqama (foreign work permit).
On hearing the petition against the foreign minister, Justice Farooq said that the case might be taken before a larger bench for hearing.
He also directed the petitioner to submit documents regarding the court’s jurisdiction in the case.
The petitioner seeks quo warranto proceedings against Asif.
Quo warranto is a prerogative writ requiring the person to whom it is directed to show what authority they have for exercising some right or power they claim to hold.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Usman Dar disclosed the matter in July this year, claiming that Asif had hidden his contract from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Asif admitted after initially denying these allegations, by saying that he had declared the salary he received through the Iqama for 27 years.
He further mentioned that he operated a bank account in Abu Dhabi since 1983.
“I receive the funds from proper banking channels from 1983,” he said.
Khawaja Asif had beaten Usman Dar in the NA-110 constituency of Sialkot, to win the 2013 General Elections.
The then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court on July 28 on grounds of possessing an Iqama and not declaring it to the relevant authorities.