Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has decided to challenge the Lahore High Court (LHC) order to restore the powers of Punjab Assembly (PA) Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, the PML-Q lawyer has informed that the party will file an intra-court appeal against the decision of the LHC.

The PML-Q lawyer said the intra-court appeal has been prepared that will be filed in the Court tomorrow (Thursday).

He said the intra-court appeal seeks annulment of the decision to restore the powers of the deputy speaker. He added that the court will also be requested to set the case for hearing the same day.

Pertinent to mention here that the LHC on Wednesday rejected a plea filed by Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz to convene the Punjab Assembly session to elect a new chief minister early. 

LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti in a short decision ordered to hold the Punjab Assembly session on April 16 as was convened by the deputy speaker early.

PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz — a contender for the CM's post — had filed a plea in the LHC for holding early elections, while Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Dost Muhammad Mazari had moved the court for the revocation of his powers.

Rejecting Hamza's plea, LHC CJ Bhatti asked the deputy speaker to hold the polls on April 16 and ordered all parties to perform their roles impartially.

The top judge of the LHC said all the personnel of the Punjab Assembly will work to ensure the election takes place on time, while the repair works should be completed before 11 am on the polling day.

The CM's office has been vacant for nearly two weeks since ex-governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar — who was removed from his position last week — accepted Usman Buzdar's resignation on April 1.

Reporter: Malik Ashraf