Islamabad court seeks official response in Lodhi sacking

The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday asked the government to submit a reply regarding the sacking of then defence secretary Lt. Gen. (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi.

The court was hearing the petition filed by Lodhi challenging his dismissal.

Lodhi's counsel Munir Paracha said his dismissal was illegal and should be cancelled. He requested the court to declare the order invalid.

Subsequently, Justice Riaz Khan directed the government to submit a reply.

The hearing was adjourned till the second week of February.

Lodhi has made President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the acting defence secretary party in the case challenging his sacking.

Lodhi was sacked on Jan 11 "on allegations of misconduct and for creating misunderstanding between the state institutions".