President Arif Alvi rejects PM Shehbaz’s advice for removal of Punjab governor

President  Dr. Arif Alvi has rejected the prime minister’s summery for removing Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema.

Arif Alvi in a statement issued by the presidency said that the Punjab governor cannot be removed without the approval of the president.

The president further said that it would be unconstitutional to remove the Punjab governor as he has not done any illegal activity.

The statement referred to clause 3 of Article 101 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He wrote that the “incumbent governor cannot be removed as there was neither any allegation of misconduct nor conviction by any court of law or of any act committed by him contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan.”

Read more: PM Shehbaz moves another summary for Governor Cheema’s removal

Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has warned Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and President Dr Arif Alvi of refraining from abrogating the constitution.

Addressing the media on Monday, he said the governor of ‘few-hours’ must leave with civility. “Don’t insult yourself more,” he added. He advised Omar Cheema to refrain from opening any new ‘mess’.

Rana Sanaullah said the advice of the prime minister is binding on the president. Deviation from it will be abrogation of the constitution, he added.

The minister contended that the top court had declared that the president doesn’t hold any inherent or residual powers. He said, “In a parliamentary democracy, the office of the president is symbolic, he has no veto power.”

Notably, Shehbaz Sharif-led government on Saturday nominated Baligh-ur-Rehman as new Punjab governor. A summary for the appointment had been sent to the President Arif Alvi for approval.

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Previously, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif had sent two summaries to the president for Cheema’s removal. However, both summaries were turned down by the president.

The governor had triggered a constitutional crisis in Punjab after he was refused to administer the oath to the chief minister Hamza Shehbaz.

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