The Islamabad High Court has rejected a petition seeking court order to immediately refrain Hanif Abbasi from working as special aide to PM Shehbaz Sharif, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The court asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review his decision regarding appointment of Hanif Abbasi as his special aide. 

The court heard a petition on Monday filed by former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad pleading with the court to refrain PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi from working as special assistant to PM Shehbaz from today. 

While rejecting the petition, the high court directed to send the matter back to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while asking him to review Hanif Abbasi’s appointment and adjourned the hearing till May 17.

The court issued notices to the federal government and cabinet division secretary seeking reply from them on the petition. 

Earlier, the petitioner’s lawyer pleaded with the court to stop Hanif Abbasi from working as special aide to the PM from today.

During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked petitioner Sh Rashid to come to the rostrum and inquired of him whether he or his ally - PTI - did have trust in court? He remarked that the allegations being levelled against courts in political public rallies was deplorable. 

“Does the PTI have confidence in the Islamabad High Court. If the PTI doesn’t have trust in this court, then we will refer the case to another court,” Justice Minallah remarked. 

The judge remarked that this court was hearing very important and big cases. “Justice should be dispensed and justice should be manifest through courts’ verdicts,” he added. 

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani