LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed President Dr ArifAlvi to appoint a new representative to administer oath to Punjab ChiefMinister-elect Hamza Shahbaz as Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema refused to dothe same.
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued the directives in a shortorder on a petition filed by Hamza Shahbaz against the Punjab governor fornot performing his constitutional responsibilities.
The court has also ordered the governor to give reasons for notadministering oath to the CM-elect.
During the hearing, Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Owais informed the courtthat the governor believed that the election for the Punjab chief ministerwas not held under the Constitution. It is the reason, he is not takingoath from Hamza, the top provincial law officer added.
At this, the LHC chief justice asked the AG to explain if it is in theConstitution that governor himself will observe the proceedings of theHouse.
Read Top Stories
In his reply, the advocate general said that on April 16 violent situationerupted in the Punjab Assembly where a female lawmaker also sustainedserious injuries.
CJ, then, asked the governor submit in writing why he did not administeroath to the CM-elect as election was held on the orders of the court.
Advocate General Ahmed Awais told the court that the governor has refusedto administer the oath.
