The Punjab governor a day earlier had written a letter to President Alvi explaining reasons why he refused to administer oath to chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz. The PM office had approached President House for taking immediate decision in the light of the Lahore High Court verdict that a representative be appointed by the President for administering oath to the chief minister-elect.
A source said that now President Alvi would act only after receiving the reply from PM office on the letter written by Governor Umer Cheema. The PM office had also moved a summary yesterday to the President for complying with the orders of the high court and nominating a person for oath taking of the chief minister-elect.
The sources told The Nation that President Alvi had consulted Chairman Senate and advocate Dr Babar Awan on the matter and also sought legal advice from the law ministry on the matter as to who could be appointed to administer oath to the chief minister elect. The sources said the reply from the ministry is yet to be received to the President office on the matter, due to which the President has delayed issuing his orders.
Punjab CM oath taking
It is to be mentioned here that Governor Punjab Umer Sarfraz Cheema had refused to administer oath to chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz, after which Hamza Shehbaz moved Lahore High court, which later gave orders to the President to immediately nominate a person other than governor who could administer oath. The sources with PML-N say if by Tuesday there is no progress by the Presidency, the party would file contempt of court proceedings against the President.
Governor Punjab Cheema has been admitted suddenly to the Services Hospital, Lahore where he is undergoing medical treatment and says he is not able to perform his duties. In his communication to President Alvi, Mr Cheema had requested to declare null and void the election of the Chief Minister as it was allegedly manipulated.