The escalating showdown between PTI-PML-Q’s Punjab government and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance comes to a head as Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman is likely to issue a declaration barring Parvez Elahi to be the chief minister.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that Parvez Elahi would no longer be the chief minister of Punjab after 4pm. He said Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman would issue the declaration at 4pm, outlining Elahi’s removal as the CM as the governor had constitutional authority to direct the CM to secure a vote of confidence.
“If the vote of confidence is not taken by 4pm, the chief minister will not hold office according to the Constitution. And if the resistance continues, the governor can also request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to impose governor’s rule in the province,” he added. He also said the governor of Punjab could also request the prime minister to impose governor s rule.
On the other side, Minister of Interior Rana Sanaullah said that the Punjab governor has the power to ask the Chief Minister to take a vote of confidence at any time.
Rana was of the opinion that Balighur Rehman could ask the Prime Minister to impose the governor rule in the province, adding that the governor rule would remain for six months in the province.
“We know very well that the Punjab government has not completed their number games, leaving Parvez Elahi with no choice except to take a vote of confidence,” Mr. Sanaullah added.
Mr Sanaullah clarified the opposition s position regarding the Chief Minister candidate by saying, “Hamza Shehbaz is a joint candidate for the post of Chief Minister.” In addition, he said that he was not aware of any discussions being held with CM Parvez Elahi”.
