Punjab governor dismisses Buzdar's resignation

The Punjab governor dismissed former chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar’s resignation - hours before PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz was to be sworn in as the new CM - after which the former chief executive of the province immediately summoned a cabinet meeting at the Punjab Assembly.

Punjab Governor Umar Cheema wrote a letter to PA Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and stated that Buzdar’s resignation was dismissed on the basis of certain constitutional loopholes.

Buzdar told media personnel that he was at Punjab Assembly to chair a cabinet meeting. He maintained that he would discuss all constitutional issues with his legal team and then be in a position to update the media on whatever was decided. 

On a query regarding the newly elect CM Hamza Shahbaz Sharif’s oath-taking and Buzdar calling a cabinet meeting at the assembly, the ex-Punjab chief parried the question, claiming that there were some constitutional issues to be addressed before the situation was commented on.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) lawmakers who approached the provincial assembly, told the Express Tribune that “the PTI government was restored after the resignation was dismissed by the governor Punjab”.

They further stated that they would hold a cabinet meeting wherein some important decisions would be taken.

Former provincial minister Murad Ras said there were no constitutional crises and that those who believe there is a constitutional crisis should “change their glasses” to see the situation better.

Another ex-provincial minster Mian Aslam Iqbal stated that anyone could go to the courts if they believe their action is illegal.

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PTI lawmakers had been instructed to approach the Punjab Assembly, leaving all other engagements to attend the cabinet meeting.

On Friday, the Lahore High Court’s Justice Jawad Hassan had directed the National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf to administer the oath to the newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz Sharif by 11:30 am on Saturday.

Earlier, the LHC’s Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti had issued orders twice for the swearing-in of Hamza as the Punjab chief; one to the president of Pakistan who had been directed to nominate someone in his stead for administering the oath. The second time, CJ Bhatti had “advised” the governor of Punjab to ensure the administration of the oath to Hamza but no constitutional obligation was rendered.

Hamza Shehbaz then approached the LHC for the third time after President Dr Arif Alvi and the Punjab governor failed to render their constitutional obligations, despite court orders.

This time the PML-N leader requested the court to “nominate any person” for administering the oath at the Governor House at a specified time and that “the coercive arm of the state be set in motion for implementation of the orders of the court”.