The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered President Arif Alvi to appoint another individual to administer oath to Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz after Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema refused to discharge this duty.
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued these directions while hearing a plea filed by chief minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz against the Punjab governor. In the complaint, the CM-elect maintained that the governor was shying away from performing his constitutional duty.
In today's hearing, the court directed the governor to explain as to why he cannot administer oath. The court had asked him to give his response in writing. After resumption of the hearing, the chief justice said that the governor had said he could not administer the oath.
The chief justice then said that this meant the court would have to decide how this matter is to be resolved.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the chief justice said that the governor cannot refuse to perform his duties. In the short order issued today, the court said, “[A] governor cannot refuse to administer oath. President of Pakistan should appoint another representative for the oath taking."
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued these directions while hearing a plea filed by chief minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz against the Punjab governor. In the complaint, the CM-elect maintained that the governor was shying away from performing his constitutional duty.
In today's hearing, the court directed the governor to explain as to why he cannot administer oath. The court had asked him to give his response in writing. After resumption of the hearing, the chief justice said that the governor had said he could not administer the oath.
The chief justice then said that this meant the court would have to decide how this matter is to be resolved.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the chief justice said that the governor cannot refuse to perform his duties. In the short order issued today, the court said, “[A] governor cannot refuse to administer oath. President of Pakistan should appoint another representative for the oath taking."