Punjab Assembly adopts resolution against Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman

Punjab Assembly Friday passed a resolution against Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman amid empty opposition benches — as lawmakers from the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) walked out before the proceeding began on the resolution.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) MPA Mian Aslam Iqbal presented the resolution against the “illegal and unconstitutional” move of the governor.

In a late-night notification, Rehman said that since he believes that Elahi does not command the confidence of the Punjab Assembly, he was de-notifying him as the CM and also dissolving the provincial cabinet.

“The governor violated the privilege of the house by misusing his powers,” the resolution stated, urging President Dr Arif Alvi to immediately remove the governor from office.

The resolution mentioned that the "imported government" in the centre has "attacked" Punjab and an attempt is also being made to destabilise the province.

"People, who sold their conscience, have initiated an undemocratic invasion of the house and tried to destabilise the government," the resolution mentioned.

It also mentioned that the governor exceeded his powers when he issued the notification for the chief minister's removal and also "disrespected" the Punjab Assembly.

"The president should take notice of this shameful move. The president should also initiate proceedings to remove the governor from his office," the resolution mentioned, as the reassured its "confidence" in CM Elahi.

In his address to the house, the chief minister said that no matter what his political enemies attempted to do, his government would continue to rule in Punjab.

"We do not seek anyone's help except for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We will continue our work and I assure all of you today, that even our generations will work for the religion."

'Pakistan needs to get rid of this mess'

Taking a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Mashood questioned: “Today is December 23 why aren’t you dissolving the assemblies?”

Speaking to media persons outside the Punjab Assembly, Mashood berated Khan saying that the ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is because of the PTI chief.

“Pakistan needs to get rid of this mess created by Khan,” he said, adding that the opposition has boycotted the assembly proceeding as “we believe session shouldn’t be called until the court’s decision is announced”.

Punjab political saga

The political crisis in Punjab does not seem to be ceased soon as lawmakers sitting on treasury and opposition benches appeared at loggerheads over who will get the CM's Office and who will take it over next.

In his bid to oust the chief minister, the governor — a member of the PML-N — had ordered the CM to take a vote of confidence at 4pm on December 21.

But Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Sibtain Khan Punjab — a PTI leader — termed the order against the Constitution and adjourned an ongoing session till Friday — which resumed today.

In response, the governor disagreed with the speaker and rejected his reasonings for not summoning a session. He added that the ruling has "no bearing" on the order to hold a session for the confidence vote.

Following this, in a notification issued in the wee hours of Friday, the governor de-notified Elahi as the chief minister, citing his reluctance to take a vote of confidence.

Rehman said that since he believes that Elahi does not command the confidence of the Punjab Assembly, he was de-notifying him as the chief minister and also dissolving the provincial cabinet.

But the PTI and PML-Q alike rejected the notification and moved the Lahore High Court against it.