LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Chief Justice on Wednesday asked the Governor Punjab to ensure the administration of oath of Chief Minister-elect Punjab, either himself or through his nominee, by April 28 (today).

Chief Justice Muhammad Amir Bhatti disposed of the petition of Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shahbaz and observed that the oath of the newly-elected CM Punjab Hamza Shahbaz Sharif was being delayed on one pretext or the other, which is not only against democratic norms but also against the scheme of the Constitution.

The Chief Justice observed that all the enabling provisions/Articles of the Constitution suggest prompt formation of provincial and federal governments. For that matter, expeditious administration of oath either by the President or by the Governor or their nominee is mandatory. The Chief Justice, therefore, said he did not find any vacuum or space in the Constitution for causing any delay in the administration of oath required under the Constitution.

Punjab CM-elect: President asked to appoint representative for administrating oath

The CJ also observed that the President was also under constitutional obligation to facilitate the expeditious administration of oath of Prime Minister or CM and he was suggested to play his role mandated by the law, ensuring a functional provincial government in Punjab.

He said the Punjab was being operated without the functional government for the last 25 days after since the acceptance of the resignation of former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. He therefore directed the office to transmit this order through fax immediately to the offices of the Governor and President for its placement before them (today).

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022