The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review his decision regarding the appointment of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM), Aaj News reported.

IHC Chief Justice Justice Ather Minallah was hearing a petition filed by former interior minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid against the appointment of PML-N leader as SAPM.

The IHC CJ called Rashid on the rostrum and asked him if he and his ally party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) trust the court?

Justice must not only be done but seen to be done, if you do not trust this court then we can send the case to another court, he said.

“You can even ask the PTI chairperson if he has doubts, we can send the case to another court.”

Rashid was offered till tomorrow to think about whether or not they trust the court.

In reply, Rashid said that he came before the court because he had complete trust in them.

“These courts are for everyone. Perhaps, people don’t believe this,” the CJ remarked while addressing Rashid, adding that the opening of courts at midnight was being questioned at rallies.

In his petition, Rashid pointed out that the Lahore High Court had only suspended Abbasi’s sentence and not his conviction in the case, adding that “the conviction stood intact for all intents and purposes”.

The court, however, rejected the request to stop the PML-N leader from working as the special assistant and directed PM Shehbaz to review Hanif’s appointment as SAPM.

The court issued notices to the concerned parties, including Hanif Abbasi and the secretary cabinet division.