Omar Sarfaraz Cheema removed as governor Punjab by federal govt

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE, April 17 (SABAH): A day after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Muhammad Hamza Shehbaz Sharif was voted as the Punjab chief minister amid reservations by the opponents, the federal government on Sunday removed Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, who was appointed to the post by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government earlier this month while removing former governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar.

The development was confirmed by PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb to a private TV channel. The government has yet to name a new governor.

Meanwhile PTI leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry has denied the reports of removal of governor Punjab from his position, saying that president of Pakistan enjoys the authority to remove governor and so far he has not received such summary. Fawad Chaudhry said that Omar Cheema will continue to work as governor Punjab.

Cheema was sacked amid reports that he has sought an inquiry report from the Punjab Assembly speaker over the election of the new chief minister that was won by Hamza after a violent confrontation between the PML-N and lawmakers of the PTI and PML-Q.

Meanwhile while addressing a press conference at Governor House on Sunday, Omar Sarfraz Cheema said that he will remain intact to the post of Governor Punjab till the President denotifies him.

Omar Sarfraz Cheema said that the swearing in ceremony of Hamza Shehbaz has been postponed on the report of the Secretary Punjab Assembly.

Advocate General Punjab and the Speaker have sought the opinion of the Assembly on the report of Saturday’s incident. The Prime Minister does not have the discretion to remove the governor, he added.

It is worth mentioning here that On April 3, Cheema was named as the new governor after the ruling PTI sacked Chaudhry Sarwar on the demand of PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, who was a contender for the CM post, hours before the session to elect the chief minister.