Buzdar's resignation letter intensifies constitutional crisis

Cheema says PML-N had also pointed out procedural lapse in resignation

LAHORE:

Just as when Usman Buzdar was likely to fade into oblivion, a "technical" legal condition has raked up his spectre once again, opening up another chapter of constitutional crisis in Pakistan.

Questioning whether the resignation of the former chief minister could be accepted under the law, Governor Punjab Omer Cheema on Tuesday sought legal opinion from the advocate general over the resignation of the former chief minister.

He said that it was brought to his attention that there has been a violation of a constitutional procedure in the resignation of Usman Buzdar.

Buzdar, Cheema reasoned, had addressed his resignation to former prime minister, Imran Khan, instead of the governor - a requirement of the law.

Therefore, the legality of the former chief minister's resignation and the consequences thereof merited a legal review, he stressed.

He went on to say that at the time Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had also pointed out the procedural lapse.

According to the legal opinion sent to the Governor of Punjab by AG Punjab, Usman Buzdar’s resignation violated Article 130 Sub-Act VIII of the Constitution.

The issue has been broached two days after the governor refused to administer the oath to the new leader of the house, Hamza Shehbaz.

Besides, it comes amid crises surrounding the election for the province’s chief executive and the uncertainty over command hierarchy refuses to die down.

It is pertinent to mention that Usman Buzdar resigned as CM Punjab on March 28 after the allies of the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, upped the ante against the former PM Imran Khan, asking for the coveted post in return for their support in a no-confidence motion.