LHC announces verdict on Punjab CM-elect Hamza Shehbaz oath case
LHC announced verdict on the CM oath case and ordered the Punjab governor to administer the oath to Punjab CM-elect Hamza Shehbaz tomorrow.
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has announced its verdict on the CM oath case and ordered the Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema to administer the oath to Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz on Thursday either by himself or appoint a representative.
The LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti announced its reserved verdict in the Hamza Shehbaz oath case today and directed the Punjab governor to administer the oath to the new Punjab CM-elect.
CJ LHC Bhatti remarked that the delay in the administration of the oath was a constitutional violation and there was no government in Punjab for the last 25 days.
In its short order, the chief justice of the high court stated, “It is, therefore, concluded that all the enabling provisions/Articles of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, suggest the prompt formation of Governments, i.e. Provincial and Federal. For that matter, expeditious administration of oath either by President or by Governor or their nominee, as the case may be, is mandatory; as all expected reasons/options causing delay are excluded/procured by suggesting/providing an alternate mechanism and I do not find any vacuum or space in the Constitution for causing any delay in the administration of oath required under Constitution.”
“That being the case, it is suggested/advised/proposed that Governor shall ensure the completion of the process of administration of the oath of Chief Minister Punjab, either himself or through his nominee, in terms of Article 255 of the Constitution, on or before 28.04.2022,” it added.
Hamza Shehbaz had been elected as the Punjab chief minister on April 16 but the ceremony for the administration of the oath was postponed twice.
CJ IHC Bhatti further stated that President Arif Alvi should play his role to ensure a functional provincial government in Punjab.
“The office of this Court is directed to transmit this order through fax immediately to the offices of the Governor and President for its placement before them, today.”
