Islamabad, Nov 15 (IANS): The Lahore High Court has welcomed the decision of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Shaif's daughter Maryam Nawaz to resign from the chairpersonship of the Prime Minister Youth Loan Programme, terming it a step towards strengthening of democracy.

Hearing a petition against the appointment of Maryam Nawaz, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had asked the federal government Tuesday to remove/replace her by Friday or the court would pass an appropriate order to this effect, Dawn online reported.

Maryam quit the post "voluntarily" Wednesday.

A deputy attorney general appeared before the court Friday and presented a copy of the resignation of Maryam Nawaz.

The law officer stated that the resignation of the chairperson would not affect the functioning of the loan programme.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed that the appointment should have been made through due process of law.

Justice Shah also dismissed a petition seeking action against the prime minister for mentioning the name of his daughter as Maryam Nawaz in the notification of the chairperson’s appointment instead of her real name, Maryam Safdar.

The petitioner, Iqtidar Shah, alleged that the prime minister had defrauded the nation by mentioning the "wrong" name of his daughter in the notification.