Lahore: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz today resigned from the post of chairperson of the multi-billion Prime Minister Youth Loan Programme on the order of a Pakistani court.

The Lahore High Court had instructed the federal government yesterday to replace Maryam as she has "no experience to the head Rs 100 billion programme".

Maryam controlled the fund for giving soft business loans to the youth announced by Prime Minister Sharif.

"I had no pressure to resign. An able person should be appointed new chairperson of the Youth Loan Programme," Maryam said in a statement after tendering resignation.

She said she had not done anything in violation of merit in the disbursement of the funds.

Petitioner, Zubair Niazi, a local leader of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, argued in the court that the appointment of Maryam was a case of "sheer nepotism."

He said the appointment had been made in violation of law and several judgments passed by the Supreme Court.

He said neither a public notice nor an advertisement was issued before the appointment.

LHC Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah said the court was showing grace by giving a chance to the government to change the chairperson in a lawful and transparent manner.

During the hearing, deputy attorney general Amir Rehman presented academic credentials of Maryam, but withdrew them after failing to answer a query whether the Ph.D. Degree was actual or honorary.

"Perhaps it honorary", Rehman said.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Friday and directed Rehman to come up with a lawful and transparent mechanism for the new appointment along with academic credentials of Maryam.

"Seeing the mood of the court the government has decided to remove her," a senior PML-N leader told PTI.

"The prime minister may not take chances to give her any other important slot," he said.