The Election Commission of Pakistan reserved its verdict in petitions seeking the removal of two members of the interim federal cabinet.

A five-member bench of the ECP under Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja heard the petitions against Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hassan Fawad on Tuesday.

The petitioner, Azizuddin Kakakhel, maintained that Cheema had been appointed as a special assistant to the prime minister on political basis.

The CEC asked the peititioner if he had any proof of Cheema’s political links, to which the petitioner replied that even the prime minister himself had political affiliations.

Raja remarked that the ECP was empowered to take action against ministers if they were shown to be siding with a political party.

The additional attorney general told the ECP on behalf of the government that both Fawad and Cheema were former civil servants. He also added that civil servants do not have political affiliations.

He added that advisors are appointed as professional experts and have no powers over transfers and postings.

The ECP then reserved the decision to be announced later.