In midst of the power struggle, the Punjab Assembly on Friday passed a resolution against Governor Balighur Rehman over his “illegal” move to de-notify Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.
Ruckus erupted as the assembly session started under the chairmanship of Speaker Sibatin Khan, in which the treasury and opposition members raised slogans against each other.
Meanwhile, the opposition staged a walkout before the resolution against the governor was presented.
The resolution was moved by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) MPA Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal.
The resolution called on President Alvi to take action against the province’s governor and immediately de-notify him over his illegal move. The resolution stated that an attempt was being made to destabilise the province.
“The president should take notice of this shameful move. The president should also initiate proceedings to remove the governor from his office,” the resolution mentioned.
The resolution maintained that people, “who sold their conscience, have initiated an undemocratic invasion”.
It said that the house expressed confidence in Parvez Elahi’s leadership.
The move came after Rehman late last night issued orders ‘de-notifying’ Punjab chief minister.
The order said that the governor reached this conclusion after the CM ‘refrained’ from obtaining a vote of confidence.
Following the governor’s orders opposition parties withdrew their no-confidence motion, saying that there was no reason left to pursue the motion as Elahi had already lost power.
The resolution against Rehman mentioned that the governor exceeded his powers when he issued the notification and “disrespected” the Punjab Assembly.
During today’s session, which was adjourned on Monday till today [Friday] and is attended by 149 members of the government and 115 members of the opposition, the Quran Act (Printing and Recording) Amendment Bill, Khatamun Nabiyeen (PBUH) University Bill and Gujarat University Amendment Bill were approved. The three bills were presented by Mian Shafiq.
In his address to the house, CM Elahi said that no matter what his political enemies attempted to do, his government would continue to rule in Punjab.
“We do not seek anyone’s help except for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We will continue our work and I assure all of you today, that even our generations will work for the religion.”
