Omar Sarfraz Cheema has said that constitutionally he is the Governor of Punjab, adding that he’s not Usman Buzdar, whose office can be snatched through political thugs, and he’ll sit quietly.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Cheema said a fake election was staged in Punjab to elect the Chief Minister.
He said that the former governor unconstitutionally accepted Usman Bazdar’s resignation.
Read more: Governor of Punjab orders Usman Buzdar to continue as CM
Cheema said that two unconstitutional measures were taken. There is no provision in the Constitution for the Speaker of the National Assembly to administer the oath of office to the Chief Minister.
Omar Sarfraz Cheema said there are currently two Chief Ministers in Punjab, warning not to make fun of the province.
“Things have gotten worse since 2007,” he said. “Everything I do is constitutional; I know how to exercise my legal authority.”
His statement comes a day after the Punjab government removed it from the post of Punjab governor and withdrew his security.
Sources in the provincial government said that Omar Sarfraz Cheema would not be allowed to enter the Governor House. No protocol will be given to Omar Cheema after he was de-notified by the federal government.
Rejecting the Cabinet Division notification regarding his de-notification as Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema termed the PML-N led government’s move unconstitutional.
In a tweet, Omar Cheema said the notification issued by the Cabinet Division was unconstitutional. “I am in contact with the constitutional experts and would announce his future strategy soon.”
As per the Cabinet Division’s notification, Omar Sarfraz Cheema was told that he had been removed from his office and Punjab Assembly speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi would be acting governor.
The notification states that in terms of Article 101 and Proviso of Article 48 (1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with serial No. 2D of Schedule V-B to the Rules of Business, 1973 and the Prime Minister’s advice9s0 rendered on 17-04—2022 and 01-05-2022 for removal of Governor of Punjab, Mr. Omar Sarfraz Cheema ceases to hold the office of the Governor of Punjab, with immediate effect.
Read more: PML-N govt & President clash over Punjab governor
The Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab shall perform the function of Governor Punjab as Acting Governor till the appointment of a new Governor, in accordance with Article 104 of the Constitution.
It may be noted that President Dr. Arif Alvi while referring to clause 3 of Article 101 of the Constitution conveyed to the PM that Governor Punjab cannot be removed without his approval.