LAHORE - The PML-N is awaiting the Lahore High Court verdict to decide the name of Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan as the Lahore Metropolitan Corporation Lord Mayor.
Sources said Hassaan was given green signal by the PML-N leadership for top position of the city. However, his eligibility of taking part in LB polls was challenged in the Lahore High Court.
Khawaja Ahmad was elected unopposed chairman from the UC-107. Masood Ahmad challenged his election telling the court that since Hassaan served as Lahore Development Authority Vice Chairman, he required to stay out of this political process for two years after relinquishing the office of a civil servant.
Hassaan, however, argued in the court that since he worked as an honorary servant without enjoying any perks and salary, his service did not fall in the definition of civil servant. The court will resume hearing today (November 5).
Hassaan, a highly trusted man of PM Nawaz Sharif and CM Shahbaz Sharif, had already served as Lahore Lord Mayor from May 1998 to November 1999.
The 56-year-old Aitchesonian is likely to lead Lahore Metropolitan Corporation unopposed after he won the legal battle.
According to the sources, the PML-N leadership has not embarked on the process of selecting names for the deputy mayors though over a dozen hopefuls – including Haji Hanif, Muhammad Mubashir, Arif Hameed Butt, Yasir Ashraf and Haji Allah Rakha – are vying for seats.
They say the names of this position will be finalised after consultation with City President of the League Pervez Malik.