President Alvi advises Punjab Governor Cheema to continue in office

PM Shehbaz removed Cheema over refusal to administer oath of office to CM-elect Hamza Shehbaz

President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday directed Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema to continue performing his duties, a day after the latter declined to administer the oath of office to Punjab’s chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz.

In a statement, the president directed that the Punjab governor would continue to hold his office until a decision was made on a summary for his removal.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had utilized his arbitrary authority on Sunday to dismiss Cheema after he denied administering the oath of office to chief minister-elect Hamza. Cheema had been ordered to vacate the governor’s house promptly while a summary was sent to the president on Sunday seeking his removal.

Cheema was appointed just two weeks ago after ex-prime minister Imran Khan made the decision to replace his predecessor, Chaudhry Sarwar. The former governor had directed to summon a session of the Punjab Assembly on April 5 in order to elect a new chief minister.

Addressing a presser shortly after orders for his removal were issued, Cheema stated that he would not administer the oath to the chief minister as he found his election to be controversial.