Hamza Shahbaz’s status restored by Supreme Court as ‘interim Punjab CM’

LAHORE, July 23 (SABAH) : Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday while restoring July 1 status has made Hamza Shahbaz as interim Punjab Chief Minister.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial read out the short verdict.

In its verdict, the top court restored Hamza Shahbaz’s July 1 of interim CM. The court observed that if the words of the party chief are to be believed, it would mean that a dictatorship should be established in the party.

The CJP remarked that in prima facie, the deputy speaker gave a ruling against our decision, we have our decision in which this law has been declared.

The court ordered the deputy speaker to submit a written reply and said that it should be told on what basis he gave the ruling, and the Punjab government should also submit its detailed written reply.

The court ordered Hamza Shahbaz to work as per the law and Constitution and also ordered him to only perform routine affairs.

The top court also barred Hamza Shehbaz from exercising the powers of the Chief Minister till July 25 which could benefit him politically and remarked that the court will supervise the affairs of the chief minister.

The court observed that if any appointment in the province is made without merit will be declared null and void. The court adjourned the hearing till Monday.