Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman de-notified Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi after he failed to take a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — a strong ally of Pervaiz Elahi — rejected the governor’s notification. PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the notification holds “no legal status” and Elahi also announced approaching the court first thing tomorrow.
Announcing the development on Twitter, the governor wrote: “Since CM has refrained from obtaining the vote of confidence at the appointed day and time therefore he ceases to hold office. Orders issued this evening.”
In the notification, the governor mentioned that despite an order issued for the CM to take a vote of confidence, he did not follow suit. Moreover, Elahi did not take the vote after 24 hours, the notification said.
“I am satisfied that he does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Punjab Assembly and therefore ceases to hold his office with immediate effect,” the notification stated.
The notification also mentioned that the provincial cabinet stands dissolved and the chief minister will continue performing his duties until a new person is elected to office.
Following the governor’s instruction, Chief Secretary of Punjab Abdullah Khan Sumbal also notified the dissolution of the provincial cabinet. “Mr. Parvez Elahi has ceased to hold the office of the Chief Minister Punjab with immediate effect,” reads the notification.
As Governor Punjab issued a Notification to Dontified CM Punjab, PTI Senior leader taking to his Twitter said that PTI snubbed the governor’s move, saying it has “no legal status”. Fawad reacted to the governor’s notification, saying Elahi and the provincial cabinet would continue to work as usual.
A reference will be sent against the governor to President Dr. Arif Alvi as part of proceedings to remove him from office, the senior PTI leader tweeted.
