ISLAMABAD - Opposition senators on Saturday filed an application in the Islamabad High Court seeking early hearing of their petition against the appointment of Tariq Bajwa as Governor State Bank of Pakistan.

About 23 senators belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party, the Awami National Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have challenged the appointment of Bajwa in the IHC.

On November 7, 2017, IHC judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued notices to the secretary Finance Division and the State Bank governor with a direction to file replies within one month.

The petitioners have contended that the respondents have not yet filed the replies despite the passage of two months after they were issued notices.

On July 7, 2017, the federal government appointed Bajwa as the SBP governor for a period of three years.

The petitioners have contended that in terms of section 3(2) of State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956, the SBP is a corporate body having perpetual succession and a common seal.

They have said that it was a very important issue and needed consideration of the court. They have said that no proper and objective selection criterion was adopted for the said appointment and it was made in violation of Supreme Court judgments.

They have argued that the selection of the best person for the job, with the right qualification and experience, had been ignored in the present case.

“The PML-N government has all along indulged in ruthless violation of the legal requirements and procedures in making appointments and filling vacancies in all key positions of state department and institutions. Such a methodology was consciously adopted to use them for their personal benefits, self-aggrandizement and extract illegal works,” they have said.

The opposition senators have contended that the appointment was illegal, unjustified, void ab-initio, whimsical, capricious, arbitrary without lawful authority and of no legal effect.