Kh Asif submits employer’s letter to IHC

ISLAMABAD: On April 10, an Islamabad High Court (IHC) larger bench had reserved its judgment in a matter where a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar sought disqualification of the federal minister for foreign affairs Khawaja Asif on the basis of an Abu Dhabi Iqama.

A larger bench, however, had allowed the parties to submit additional documents if they have. Khawaja Asif here on Monday submitted a letter of an Abu Dhabi company where he is employed. As per letter, Khawaja Asif’s job with International Mechanical & Electrical Co. WLL. is quite flexible and there are no conditions on him to stay there in Abu Dhabi. The company can seek his legal advice via telephone or whenever he comes to UAE. Managing Director of the company, Elias Salloum, has expressed that he is ready to come before any court in Pakistan.

The letter reads, “We hereby confirm that Kh. Muhammad Asif has been the “legal Advisor Private Law’ for the company. The agreement executed with him was a standard document approved by the UAE Government. The agreement was executed to fulfill UAW law, however, the terms stated in the agreement were not the understanding between the parties. The relationship has cordial, with mutual consent and there was no requirement for him to be present in UAE for any period of time and we have been seeking his advice as and when required telephonically and during his planned visit to UAE. Similarly, the agreement was renewed as per UAE law, he became the Management Consultant of the company.”

Asif was paid a fee for his services as per the understanding of the company and himself. Asif was never a full time employee of the company and was not required to stay in UAE as mentioned in the agreement.

There is total flexibility in the UAE after execution of the standard document to agree to any terms with the employees and Consultants of the company and the UAE Government does not interfere in this respect. The HEC three-member larger bench headed by Justice Athar Minallah and comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had reserved judgment in this matter on April 10.