Punjab PA passes resolution against governor’s order

Places confidence in Elahi as CM; opposition stages walkout

LAHORE:

 

The Punjab Assembly on Friday passed a resolution against Governor Balighur Rehman’s move to de-notify PML-Q stalwart Parvez Elahi as the chief minister of the province describing the order as “unconstitutional and illegal” while the opposition, primarily the PML-N, staged a walkout in protest over the development.

Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches shouted slogans during the provincial assembly session chaired by Speaker Sibtain Khan.

The resolution was presented by PTI MPA Aslam Iqbal which placed confidence in Elahi as the provincial chief executive.

The opposition, irked by the move, staged a walkout while the document was being presented.

“The Punjab governor on December 22, through an illegal order against the elected CM and the provincial cabinet, has transgressed his authority, disrespected the people’s mandate, harmed the sanctity of the house and created an administrative crisis in the province,” the resolution read.

It added that an attempt was being made to destabilise the majority provincial government.

The resolution asked President Arif Alvi to take measures to oust the governor from his post.

Earlier, speaking in the House, Elahi expressed his gratitude to the Almighty for saving him and his government as they were trying to overcome the hurdles in their way.

He maintained that his government would remain in place no matter what tactics were employed by the “enemy”.

“We don’t ask anyone, we just ask Allah,” Elahi said.

He added that the Almighty was protecting them.

The session was later adjourned till December 26 (Monday).

Speaking to the media outside the assembly, PML-N MPA Rana Mashhood said the opposition had boycotted the session as the Lahore High Court was still hearing Elahi’s plea challenging the governor’s move to de-notify him.

The PML-N lawmaker claimed that the Punjab Assembly could not pass any resolution or bill till the LHC announced a judgement.

He added that Elahi would have to face the vote of confidence if the court ruled in his favour.

“The LHC has asked them [Elahi-led government] to give an undertaking that the assemblies won’t be dissolved and to proceed with the vote of confidence,” he explained.

Mashhood further said PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz would be the new chief minister of the province.

Earlier, the PML-N and PPP withdrew the no-confidence motion against Elahi.
PML-N chief whip Khalil Tahir Sindhu and others submitted a signed petition to withdraw the no-confidence motion to the assembly secretary.

The petition stated that after the notification of the governor on December 22, Elahi ceased to be the chief minister. Therefore, there was no need for further action on the no-confidence motion against him.

Sindhu said only the no-confidence motion against Elahi had been withdrawn. “The no-trust motions against the Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan and the deputy speaker will remain,” he added.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique reiterated the logic behind the withdrawal of the motion.

“Both Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies are now secure,” Rafique wrote on Twitter.

“The PTI should perform in their remaining [tenure] of their governments instead of making failed attempts to create agitation and chaos,” he added.