Pak SC admits petition to stop Kayani, Pasha removal over Memo Gate scandal

Pakistan Telegraph (ANI) Tuesday 7th February, 2012

Pakistan's Supreme Court has admitted a petition filed in anticipation of a perceived move to sack Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha over the Memo Gate scandal.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, admitted the petition filed by Advocate F.K. Butt for hearing after dismissing objections raised by the registrar's office regarding its maintainability, The Dawn reports.

During today's hearing, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq said that the petition was based on newspaper clippings and conspiracy theories.

The petition was filed after the sudden removal of Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi on January 11 on allegations of gross misconduct and illegal action and for creating misunderstanding between the state institutions. he petitioner further requested the court to issue a restraining order and stop the government from taking any step to remove or retire the two officers till the pendency of the case.

The army chief will retire on November 29, 2013, while the ISI chief will complete his extended term on March 19 this year. (ANI)