Punjab in new political impasse as governor refuses to quit

Cheema terms Cabinet Division notification illegal; police block entry points of Governor’s House

LAHORE:

Punjab plunged into another political impasse on Tuesday after Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema refused to step down from the office despite his removal order from the federal government, saying that the president had rejected the prime minister’s summary for his sacking.

The provincial government deployed police contingents at all the entry and exit points of the Governor’s House to prevent Cheema from entering the office. Sources privy to the Governor’s House told The Express Tribune that Cheema did not show up on Tuesday.

“I reject this unconstitutional notification [issued by the Cabinet Division] and consulting my legal [team] and constitutional experts. I will announce my future course of action soon,” Cheema wrote on microblogging website, Twitter.

Cheema, who had replaced Chaudhry Sarwar days before the ouster of Imran Khan from the office of the prime minister, is clinging to the post and efforts to remove him, especially after he refused to administer the oath to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, were scuttled by the president.

Cheema had been at the centre of controversies as he refused to administer the oath to the newly-elected Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz. He also wrote a letter to the army chief soliciting his help to lead the province out of the political crisis.

The federal government had sent a summary for his removal to the president on April 17. As per the Constitution, the summary would take effect automatically without any decision from the president after the stipulated time period.

After the completion of the constitutional period of the summary, the Cabinet Division issued the notification for the removal of Cheema. The notification came as the president rejected the prime minister’s summary, saying that the governor’s removal would be unfair.

Read Punjab governor to discuss ‘constitutional crisis’ with president, army chief

Cheema said that the President of Pakistan had rejected the prime minister’s summary for his removal while considering the unusual political circumstances. After the rejection of this summary the Cabinet Division issued an “unconstitutional notification” for his removal, he added.

A senior official disclosed that the provincial government deployed police force at all entry points of the estate as a precautionary measure to prevent entry of the former governor. Movement of all officials of the Governor’s House is being monitored, he added.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who is supposed to be the acting governor after the removal of Cheema, reached provincial assembly to perform his routine duties. He did not assume charge of the acting governor rather preferred to consult constitutional experts on the current crisis.

“The present PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] government has set up a factory of unconstitutional measures but I will carry out my affairs in accordance with the Constitution and law,” Elahi said.

He also telephoned Cheema to express solidarity with the deposed governor. “The PML-N is committing the worst violation of the Constitution; together we will continue to uphold the Constitution and the law. We will resist all their unconstitutional actions.”

The issue of the Punjab governor was also discussed in the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar told reporters in Islamabad. He said that the cabinet approved the advice of the prime minister for the removal of Cheema.

صدر پاکستان کے غیر معمولی حالات کے پیش نظرسمری مسترد کرنے کے باوجود کیبینٹ ڈویثرن کا غیر آئینی نوٹیفیکن جاری کیا جسے میں مسترد کرتا ہوں

ائینی ماہرین سے مشاورت جاری ہے جلد آئندہ کا لائحہ عمل کا اعلان کروں گا ۔ انشاءاللہ pic.twitter.com/8euMPgBh3L

— Omar Sarfraz Cheema (@OmarCheemaPTI) May 10, 2022

Tarar said that the cabinet expressed reservations over the recent decisions taken by President Dr Arif Alvi and Governor Cheema. “The Constitution has been violated by some officials in constitutional posts,” Tarar said. “Consultations are under way to take various steps regarding this violation of the Constitution.”

A lawyer for the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that as per the Constitution, Cheema was still the Governor. “The notification issued by Cabinet Division is unconstitutional and the party is deliberating with its legal team to move court against this unconstitutional act,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan asked the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the “brazen violation” of the Constitution and law in Punjab by the federal government. “Imported puppets are stirring up constitutional anarchy and chaos in Punjab," he said in a statement.

“First, a criminal puppet was imposed on the province as a chief minister through a ghost election. Now, keeping all constitutional requirements aside, the office of the president has been insulted," the former prime minister said.

He also accused the federal government of contempt of the office of the president by refusing to pay heed to him over the issue. Imran urged the courts to take notice of the “brazen unconstitutional” acts in Punjab instead of watching as “silent spectators”.