Lahore: Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman issued notification in late hours of Thursday, de-notifying Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi from office and effectively dissolving Cabinet. "Since CM has refrained from obtaining Vote of Confidence at appointed day and time therefore he ceases to hold office.

Orders issued this evening," he wrote on his official Twitter handle, sharing copy of notification. "Consequent to facts that Pervaiz Elahi, CM Punjab, refrained from obtaining vote of confidence at 1600 hours yesterday in line with an Order under Article 130 (7) of Constitution issued under my hand on December a9, 2022, in line with Rule 22 (7) of Rules of Procedures of Provincial Assembly of Punjab, 1997 and that he still has not done so ever after lapse of another twenty four hours, I am satisfied that he does not command the confidence of majority of members of Punjab Assembly and therefore ceases to hold his office with immediate effect," notification stated.

According to notification, provincial Cabinet stands dissolved and CM is asked to continue until new CM is elected. "In terms of Article 133 of Constitution, Pervaiz Elahi former Chief Minister of Punjab is hereby asked to continue to hold official until his successor enters upon office of Chief Minister," it added. "In terms of Article 133 of the Constitution, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, former Chief Minister of the Punjab, is hereby asked to continue to hold official until his successor enters upon the office of the Chief Minister," it added. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed on Thursday that PML-Q leader Parvez Elahi was no longer the chief minister of Punjab constitutionally. The interior minister said that Governor Baligh Ur Rehman is using his powers under the Constitution, adding that whenever the orders [of de-notifying Parvez Elahi as chief minister] are issued by him, they will be implemented. The PTI snubbed the governor's step as not legally binding.

Fawad Chaudhry reacted to the governor's notification, saying Parvez Elahi and the provincial cabinet will continue functioning as usual. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 23 2022

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