The notification issued by the cabinet division stated that the speaker of Punjab Assembly shall take over the role of acting governor till the appointment of a new governor in accordance with Article 104 of the Constitution.

“In terms of Article 101 and Proviso of Article 48 (1) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with serial No. 2D of Schedule V-B to the Rules of Business, 1973 and the Prime Minister’s advices rendered on 17-04—2022 and 01-05-2022 for removal of Governor of the Punjab, Mr Omar Sarfraz Cheema ceases to hold the office of the Governor of the Punjab, with immediate effect,” the notification stated.

According to the sources, security has also been withdrawn from Omar Cheema following his removal from the governor’s post.

On Monday, President Dr Arif Alvi had rejected the advice of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to remove Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema from office.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Office yesterday (Monday), President Alvi said that the governor cannot be removed without the approval of the president.

However, in contrast to the president’s rejection of the PM’s advice, the cabinet division issued a notification late Monday night regarding the Cheema’s removal.

Last week PM Shehbaz sent a summary to the president for the removal of Cheema fromn the office as the incumbent Governor Cheema has been causing problems for the PML-N in Punjab. The PTI-appointed governor triggered a constitutional crisis after his refusal to administer the oath to newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

In April, the prime minister had sacked the Punjab governor through a summary forwarded to the president to pave the way for the oath-taking of his son Hamza Shehbaz as the Punjab chief minister after Cheema expressed reservations on the process of his election.

Following the premier’s summary, President Alvi directed Cheema to continue working in his office till a decision was taken on the summary of the latter’s removal by the prime minister.

Hamza was finally sworn in after the Lahore High Court ordered NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to administer the oath.