Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz would take the oath “even if the entire Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) falls ill, including President Arif Alvi and Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema”.
Responding to the questions raised by ex-premier Imran Khan in his recent press conference, Marriyum tweeted that the former ruling party had no authority to question the functioning of courts at night, as they (PTI) flouted orders of the courts. “The president of Pakistan appointed by Imran Khan is actively violating the constitution in Punjab, so the courts are open at night,” Marriyum said. The minister accused Imran of being a fascist, adding that he should stop violating the constitution. “They (PTI) hold the constitution, democracy and parliament hostage and then ask why are the courts open?” she questioned.
She said the nation had witnessed the violations of the constitution at the hands of President Alvi. She said the country’s judiciary was being dragged into Imran Khan’s “conspiracy”. The minister claimed that all “unconstitutional gangs, including Imran Khan, his President Arif Alvi, and the governor of Punjab” should be punished under Article 6 for treason. “You are sick-minded, undemocratic and fascists, your dark age is fading,” she added. Marriyum’s remarks came as Governor Cheema had to be hospitalised in Lahore for food poisoning and fever.
According to media reports, doctors at the governor’s residence conducted a medical assessment after which he was taken to the hospital for medical tests. Earlier this week, Hamza had moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to avert a “constitutional crisis” after the governor’s reluctance to administer the oath to him. In his petition, Hamza had pleaded that the governor violated his constitutional duties as well as the court orders by delaying the administration of the oath.
