President Alvi asks Punjab governor to continue in office

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi Monday instructed Governor of Punjab Umar Sarfaraz Cheema to continue to hold the office.

According to a President House statement, the president said that the Punjab governor would continue to serve till the decision on a summary for his removal was taken.

Earlier on Sunday, Punjab Governor Umar Sarfaraz Cheema refused to administer the oath to the newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz after calling the election controversial.

PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said Sarfaraz Cheema was packed by the Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif from the post of Punjab Governor. The decision has been taken under discretionary powers residing with the premier, Bol News reported.

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Two weeks ago, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had appointed him as the new governor hours after Chaudhry Sarwar was relieved from his duties.

Addressing a presser right after he was sacked, Cheema termed the election of the chief minister as ‘controversial’ and maintained was still the governor.

He said that the PM did not have the authority to remove him but the power rather rests with the president.

Cheema said his removal will only be confirmed once the premier forwards the summary to the president and gets denotified.

He also announced to postpone the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected chief minister Hamza Shehbaz until he receives a reply from the advocate general on the election which he deems controversial.

Hamza Shehbaz’s oath-taking was scheduled for tonight at 8:00 PM.