Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif. Photo: File 

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear today a petition seeking Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Asif?s disqualification over possessing an Iqama ? a permit to work in the UAE.

A larger bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq has sought a written reply from the foreign minister.

The disqualification petition was filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Usman Dar, who was fielded by his party during the general elections of 2013 in NA-110, the same constituency from where Asif was elected to the National Assembly.

As per the petitioner, Asif is not entitled to hold the office of MNA nor of the federal minister under the Unlimited Term Employment Contract between him and International Mechanical and Electrical Co (IMECO), a company located in Abu Dhabi.

Disqualification plea: IHC seeks response from Khawaja Asif

The high court issued a written order in relation to the plea

Asif has been hired as a full-time employee of IMECO since at least July 2, 2011 and has held various positions, including those of the legal adviser and special adviser, the petition states.

The contract signed between the foreign minister of Pakistan and the company claim that Asif was to receive a monthly basic salary of AED35,000 along with a monthly allowance of AED15,000. 

He is receiving the same while serving as the foreign minister at the same time, it is alleged.

Therefore, the petitioner has requested the IHC to declare Asif as disqualified. 

On July 28, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as prime minister by the Supreme Court on the basis of holding an Iqama even though he had reportedly not received any salary on its basis.