ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday instructed Governor of Punjab Umar Sarfaraz Cheema to continue to hold the office.
According to a President House statement, the president said that the Punjab governor would continue to serve till the decision on a summary for his removal was taken.
صدرِ مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کی گورنر پنجاب عمر سرفراز چیمہ کو اپنے عہدے پر کام جاری رکھنے کی ہدایت
گورنر پنجاب برطرفی کی سمری پر فیصلہ ہونے تک اپنے فرائض انجام دیتے رہیں، صدر مملکت کی ہدایت
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 18, 2022
This comes amid reports that Governor Punjab Omar Safaraz Cheema has been removed from his post on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, Cheema refused to abide by the instruction, saying the prime minister does not have the prerogative to dismiss him.
READ MORE: Governor Punjab Cheema dismissed from his post
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Cheema said that the prime minister was not authorized to remove him from his office. “This power rests with the President. Only he can remove me from the office,” he had said. “I will remain government until the prime minister sends the summary to the President and he will de-notify me.”
The governor also announced to defer the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected chief minister Hamza Shehbaz. He Cheema said he has sought the advice Advocate General and am stopping the halting the oath-taking ceremony.
Cheema said he will leave his post when the president de-notifies him. According to Article 101 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the governor shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
