ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday dismissed the petition that sought dismissal of Prime Minister’s special assistants and advisers.

Chief justice Gulzar Ahmed said in his remarks that the Rules of Business allow individuals with dual citizenships to serve as the premier’s aides.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the apex court has already defined rules regarding special assistants in Zulfi Bukhari’s case, allowing dual citizens to serve as aides because their loyalty cannot be doubted. The lawyer of the applicant in his arguments before the court said that the appointments of SAPMs do not fall under Services of Pakistan and the cabinet can only appoint five advisers.

To, this Justice Ejazul Ahsan said the matter of SAPMs and advisers with dual nationality was taken up in the Islamabad High Court. There is no bar over appointments of the SAPMs and advisers, he said.

The SC disposing off the petition maintained IHC’s verdict in the case.

Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had dismissed a plea challenging appointments of advisers and special assistants to the PM.

A two-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Ghulam Azam Qambrani released the reserved verdict in the open court.

The verdict was reserved on September 9, after the completion of arguments from both sides. NNI