Replies sought in finance minister case

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court on Monday sought replies from the federal government and finance ministry on a petition challenging powers of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to present supplementary budget.

A citizen, Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi, filed the petition contending that federal cabinet empowered the finance minister to present supplementary budget of Rs100 million and appoint heads of government institutions. He pleaded that delegating powers of the cabinet to a minister was violation of a Supreme Court judgement.

He prayed to the court to set aside the powers enjoyed by the finance minister for being in violation of the law. Justice Atir Mahmood heard the arguments and sought replies from the respondents by April 17.