Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema was denotified on Tuesday even after the president rejected the prime minister’s summary to remove the governor from his post.
Cheema was appointed as Punjab governor on April 3 by the PTI government after replacing Chaudhry Sarwar.
On April 16, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif moved a summary to President Dr. Arif Alvi for the removal of Cheema that he rejected. The premier again sent a summary for his removal after a gap of 14 days. According to the constitution, a summary automatically becomes a notification when it is forwarded again.
The PML-N has nominated its loyalist Baleegh-ur-Rehman for the coveted office. According to rules, Tuesday (today) is the last day of Cheema as the Punjab governor.
Earlier, a statement was issued by the president’s secretariat in which the president said to the PM that the governor could not be removed without his approval.
Despite that, the cabinet division issued a notification on Monday late at night regarding the removal of Cheema.
“In terms of Article 101 and proviso to Article 48 (1) of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with serial No. 2D of schedule V-B to the Rules of Business, 1973 and the Prime Minister’s advice (s) rendered on 17-04-2022 and 01-05-2022 for removal of Governor of Punjab, Mr Omer Sarfaraz Cheema ceases to hold the office of the Governor Punjab, with immediate effect,” the notification said.
According to the details, the speaker of the Punjab Assembly will perform as the acting governor till the new governor is appointed.
On Tuesday morning, security of Cheema was also withdrawn and the governor’s house was guarded by police forces.
Earlier, Cheema also refused to administer the oath to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf administered the oath on the order of Lahore High Court.
