LAHORE, 30 MAY (DNA) – Acting premiership of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s absence over open-heart surgery in London has been challenged in the Lahore High Court on Monday.

Ishtiaq Chaudhry Advocate, representing Pakistan Awami Tehreek filed the petition in the Lahore High Court. The plea states that the Constitution of Pakistan does not permit transference of charge by the Prime Minister to any federal minister for a period of time. Nawaz Sharif’s absence in the country has given rise to ‘constitutional crisis’, petitioner writes.

Chaudhry has requested the court to bar Ishaq Dar from looking after country’s affairs in Nawaz Sharif’s absence. He further requested the high court to order National Assembly Speaker, Ayaz Sadiq to call an emergency session and nominate fresh leader of the House.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is currently in London and will stay there for coming two weeks after his open-heart surgery on Tuesday. He had visited his doctors last week for a checkup and that is when he was advised to not travel back before the surgery is performed.

Reportedly, he had deliberated the possibility of taking care of few important matters in Islamabad before the surgery but he was strongly advised against that. The premier will participate in cabinet and NEC meetings via video link today.

Opposition parties who are pushing for Panam leaks probe extended support to ailing premier and his family. The surgery of the Prime Minister has found its timing amid efforts for Panama leaks probe in the country.

A parliamentary committee, comprising of six members from opposition and the government each is struggling with consensus over Terms of References for the probe. DNA