LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed President Dr Arif Alvi to appoint a new representative to administer oath to Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz as Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema refused to do the same.
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued the directives in a short order on a petition filed by Hamza Shahbaz against the Punjab governor for not performing his constitutional responsibilities.
The court has also ordered the governor to give reasons for not administering oath to the CM-elect.
During the hearing, Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Owais informed the court that the governor believed that the election for the Punjab chief minister was not held under the Constitution. It is the reason, he is not taking oath from Hamza, the top provincial law officer added.
At this, the LHC chief justice asked the AG to explain if it is in the Constitution that governor himself will observe the proceedings of the House.
In his reply, the advocate general said that on April 16 violent situation erupted in the Punjab Assembly where a female lawmaker also sustained serious injuries.
CJ, then, asked the governor submit in writing why he did not administer oath 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 refused to administer the oath.
At this, the chief justice asked him to give this in writing that the governor has refused to administer the oath so that the court can ask someone else to do the job.
The high court said that it will issue an order if the governor failed to submit the reasons behind his act by 2pm.
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