PM Shehbaz calls on President Dr Arif Alvi

Published April 20, 2022
This combo photo shows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and President Arif Alvi. — Photo courtesy: AP/DawnNewsTV
This combo photo shows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and President Arif Alvi. — Photo courtesy: AP/DawnNewsTV

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met President Dr Arif Alvi for the first time after assuming the PM's office.

According to a press release issued by the President's Secretariat, the leaders met at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) and discussed issues related to the evolving political and economic situation in the country.

The meeting comes as the PTI-PML-N clash over the removal of Punjab Governor Omer Sarfaraz Cheema.

After PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz was elected chief minister of Punjab, Cheema said he would not administer oath to Hamza, claiming that the Punjab Assembly secretary’s report, the high court's instructions and “the facts presented” to him raised questions about the validity of the chief minister’s election.

Since then there was speculation that Cheema would be removed from his position by the federal government.

However, in a press conference on Sunday, the governor had claimed that the prime minister didn't have the authority to remove the governor.

"He [should send] a summary to the president because I am holding this office with the pleasure of the president of Pakistan. Until the president notifies [the order to remove me], I am holding this office," Cheema had said.

Subsequently, PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the government was sending a summary to the president for his removal.

Following her statement, PTI's Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that the president had denied removing Cheema.

President Arif Alvi has also distanced himself from the newly elected government from the first day.

He skipped the oath-taking ceremony of PM Shehbaz on health grounds after which Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani had taken over the responsibility.

The president had also refused to administer oath to federal cabinet members compelling the government to postpone the ceremony. Eventually, it was Sanjrani again who administered the oath to the cabinet.

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...