LAHORE: As political turmoil continues in Pakistan’s largest province, the Punjab Assembly on Friday passed a resolution condemning Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman’s “illegal” move to remove Pervaiz Elahi as chief minister. .
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal moved a resolution, demanding action from President Arif Alvi against the governor of the province.
The opposition, comprising Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties, walked out even before the resolution against the governor was tabled.
The resolution said that an “imported government” at the Center had “invaded” Punjab and was trying to destabilize the province.
“Those who have sold their conscience, have undemocratically attacked the House and tried to destabilize the government,” the resolution said.
It also stated that the governor exceeded his authority when he issued the notification for the dismissal of the chief minister and also “disrespected” the Punjab Assembly.
“The President should take notice of this disgraceful move. The President should also initiate action to remove the governor from his post,” the resolution noted, as it assured his “confidence” in Chief Minister Elahi.
In his address to the House, the Chief Minister said that whatever his political enemies try to do, his government will remain intact in Punjab.
“We do not seek help from anyone except Allah and the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace. We will continue our work and I assure you all today that our generations will also work for the religion.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Rana Mashhood made a threatening statement against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and asked, “Today is December 23, why are you not dissolving the assemblies?”
Speaking to the media outside the Punjab Assembly, Mashhood criticized Khan and said that the ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is because of the PTI chief.
“Pakistan needs to get rid of this mess created by Khan,” he said, adding that the opposition had boycotted the assembly proceedings because “we believe that the session was not convened until the court verdict was announced.” Must go.”
The political crisis in Punjab does not seem to be abating any time soon as the legislators sitting on the treasury and opposition benches are at loggerheads over who will get the chief minister’s post and who will take over next.
In an attempt to remove the chief minister, the governor – a member of the PML-N – had ordered the chief minister to take a vote of confidence at 4 pm on December 21.
But Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Sabatin Khan Punjab – leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – termed the order unconstitutional and adjourned the ongoing session till Friday – which resumed today.
In response, the Governor disagreed with the Speaker and rejected his arguments for not calling the meeting. He further said that this decision has no effect on the order to hold the meeting for the vote of trust.
Subsequently, in a notification issued in the wee hours of Friday, the governor de-notified Elahi as chief minister citing his reluctance to take the vote of confidence.
Rehman said that since he felt that Elahi did not command the confidence of the Punjab Assembly, he was de-notifying him as the chief minister and also dissolving the provincial cabinet.
But PTI and Muslim League (Q) alike rejected the notification and approached the Lahore High Court against it.
