ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Friday constituted a larger bench to hear a petition filed by former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema against his removal from the constitutional office.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Mianallah removed all the reservations raised by Registrar Office on the petition. The former Punjab governor was represented in the court by his counsel Babar Awan.

The federal government in a late-night notification removed Omar Sarfraz Cheema from the post. As per the notification, the incumbent government denotified Omar Sarfraz and the notice in this regard was issued by the cabinet division.

Read more: Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema removed, notification issued

The notification also holds that Speaker Punjab Assembly Pervaiz Elahi will remain the acting governor till the new appointment.

Earlier, the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice to move Omar Sarfraz Cheema. He said that the Governor of Punjab could not be removed without the approval of the President.

The President also said that Governor Punjab had sent him summaries about the unfortunate political misconducts in the province, the resignation of Usman Buzdar, and the dissident lawmakers, so sacking him would not be justified in any case.