President Alvi strongly rejects PM’s advice to remove Governor Punjab
ISLAMABAD (Web News )
President Dr. Arif Alvi has strongly rejected Prime Minister’s advice to remove Governor Punjab.
According to the statement issued by The President of Pakistan, The President has conveyed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan that Governor Punjab cannot be removed without his approval.
President said that the incumbent Governor should continue to stay to encourage and promote a healthy and clean democratic system where members are not coerced or bought to bring about an illegitimate change and Article 63A of the Constitution specifically discouraged such activities.
The President further highlighted that he was committed to stand by the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan in these difficult times and strongly rejected the advice of the Prime Minister to remove the Governor Punjab.
Earlier Federal Government has de-notified Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema. Cabinet Division has issued notification to de-notify the Governor Punjab, Electronic media reported on Tuesday.
It further stated that Speaker Punjab Assembly will perform duties as acting governor till the appointment of new governor.
On the other hand, Omar Sarfraz Cheema has said that he will continue to perform his duties as long as the president wants.
Earlier on Monday, President of Pakistan Arif Alvi had rejected the advice sent by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to sack Omar Sarfraz Cheema as Governor Punjab.
The President has taken a position that Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema cannot be removed without the approval of the President.
Referring to clause 3 of Article 101 of the Constitution, he stated that the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
Meanwhile, in the statement, President Alvi said that the incumbent governor could not be removed as there was neither any allegation of misconduct nor conviction by any court of law or of any act committed by him contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan.
“It [is my] duty as Head of the State to represent the unity of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in terms of Article 41 of the Constitution,” the president told PM Shehbaz.
He further said that it was important for the incumbent Governor to remain in office to encourage and promote a healthy and clean democratic system that’s why he has rejected the PM Shehbaz’s advice.