ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court has overturned the Lahore High Court decision that nullified the appointment of Dr. Asad Aslam as the vice chancellor of King Edward Medical University. The court issued its judgment after observing that the case had remained pending before the Supreme Court for nearly eight years without any hearing. The judges stated that such a long delay required a final decision to resolve the controversy.
The original petition challenged the appointment
The original petition was filed by Iftikhar Ahmed. He challenged the appointment of Dr. Aslam as the head of the historic medical university. The Lahore High Court previously ruled in favor of the petitioner and set aside the appointment. That ruling prompted a legal challenge that later reached the Federal Constitutional Court for review.
Court grants space for further petitions
During the hearing in Islamabad, no party appeared before the bench. However, the court clarified that any aggrieved party may still approach the court for appropriate relief. The decision, therefore, restores the position of the KEMU vice chancellor unless a fresh plea is filed and decided by the court.
Two more judges take the oath
Meanwhile, two more judges of the Federal Constitutional Court took the oath earlier in the day. The new judges bring the total number of sworn-in judges to seven. Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan administered the oath to Justice Rozi Khan and Justice Arshad Hussain Shah. Four judges had taken oath earlier, including Justice Hassan Azhar, Justice Aamer Farooq, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, and Justice K.K. Agha.
FCC forms three benches
The Federal Constitutional Court also updated its bench composition. Bench I includes Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, and Justice Arshad Hussain Shah. Bench II includes Justice Hassan Rizvi and Justice K.K. Agha. Bench III includes Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Rozi Khan. These benches will hear constitutional matters as the court continues its expanded functioning.
