Memogate: Verdict reserved in Naeem Lodhi case

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved the verdict in the matter of former secretary defence Lt Gen Khalid Naeem Lodhi (retd) who has challenged his termination from service by the prime minister on January 10. The verdict is likely to be announced today.

Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan of the IHC on January 18 had issued notices to all the respondents through the federation in the issue.

Lodhi's counsel, Munir Paracha argued before the court that the government alleging misconduct on his part stigmatised his client. His termination from service took place without any show cause or inquiry.

The IHC judge while admitting the petition issued notices to the respondents till the second week of February.

Lodhi while challenging his termination has said that the respondent government functionaries pressurised him to sign an affidavit on the memogate issue prepared by them in complete conflict with the factual position as narrated by the army chief and DG ISI in their statements submitted before the apex court.

The petitioner also said the respondents were overwhelmed with mala fide motives to terminate him with a view to clearing their way to take further illegal steps to arbitrarily remove the chief of army staff and director general Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) as part of their political agenda to ruin the country.

Lodhi has prayed to the court to set aside the notification of his termination No: 10/05/2011-E-I dated January 11, 2012. He has also prayed to the court to provide him interim relief by suspending the notification.