News
May 15 , 2022
President Arif Ali (L) and Prime Minister Shehbaz SharifPresident ‘Strongly’ Rejects PM’s Advice to Remove Punjab Governor
Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday “strongly” rejected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice to remove Punjab Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema saying the head of the province cannot be removed without his approval.
Referring to clause 3 of Article 101 of the Constitution, the president stated that “the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President,” read an official statement issued by the President Office.
He wrote that the incumbent governor cannot be removed as there was neither any allegation of misconduct nor conviction by any court of law or of any act committed by him contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan.
President Alvi stated that it was his duty as head of state to represent the unity of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in terms of Article 41 of the Constitution.
Highlighting the Constitutional role of the governor, the president said Cheema had also sent a report earlier regarding the unfortunate happenings in the Punjab Assembly, questions regarding the validity of the resignation of former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar and shifting of loyalties.
Rejecting the advice of the prime minister, he stated that he was convinced that the removal of the governor would be unfair and against the norms of justice.
The president emphasized that it was essential that the incumbent governor should continue to stay to encourage and promote a healthy and clean democratic system “where members are not coerced or bought to bring about an illegitimate change and Article 63-A of the Constitution specifically discouraged such activities”.
He further highlighted that he was committed to stand by the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan in these difficult times and strongly rejected the advice of the prime minister to remove the Punjab governor.
On May 1, PM Shehbaz sent a second summary for Cheema’s removal to President Alvi.
As the controversy around Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz’s election and oath-taking lingered on, the government tried to remove Cheema from office. The governor, however, said that the prime minister did not have the power to remove him, rather it was the president’s prerogative to appoint and dismiss governors.
