LAHORE: Upset over the tactics of Punjab Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema to delay the oath-taking of Punjab chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz, the PML-N provincial leadership has asked the federal government to register a treason case against the violators of the constitution.

“The way President Arif Alvi and Governor Cheema handling the oath-taking matter of Hamza, it is now quite evident that they will linger it on as long as possible to frustrate us. Now we need to get tough on them ... initiate Article 6 proceedings to stop them from further indulging in unlawful acts,” a senior PML-N leader told Dawn on Thursday.

“We will simultaneously move the court against the governor and others for flouting its orders as well as imitation of treason proceedings against them,” he said.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday advised the Punjab governor to ensure completion of the process of the administration of oath to chief minister-elect Hamza either himself or through his nominee not later than April 28.

The PMLN Punjab parliamentary party also met here on Thursday and expressed its disappointment over the governor’s attitude and declared that the federal government should move against Governor Cheema and President Alvi under Article 6.

“We have requested the federal government to take action against the governor for violating the LHC’s order by not taking oath from the CM-elect,” PML-N MPA Malik Ahmad Khan told a presser. He said those violating the constitution blatantly would not escape punishment.

“If the governor does not implement the LHC’s order, we will decide our course of action after consulting legal experts,” PML-N deputy secretary-general Attaullah Tarar said.

Regarding deferring the Punjab Assembly session for May 16, he said Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi did so as the PTI and PML-Q did not have the required number to oust deputy speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari through a no-confidence motion.

“The PA’s session has been postponed after the PTI saw its failure to oust Mazari,” Tarar said.

The PML-N, PPP and PTI dissident lawmakers decided to support Dost Mazari in the wake of a no-trust move against him to return his ‘favour’ during the election of the chief minister. Mazari, who was allegedly roped in on his side by Hamza ahead of the election, had initiated the assembly proceedings from a guest lobby in the hall over a megaphone and read out the agenda and rules for the election of the chief minister.

The PML-N reportedly has offered tickets to Mazari and his uncle in the next elections. Tarar said the PA session was postponed as the PTI had only the support of its 140 MPAs. The PTI has 183 MPAs in Punjab but 26 of them defected and voted for Hamza. The PTI and PML-Q had to have 186 votes to oust the deputy speaker.

Tarar further said the voting on PML-N’s no-confidence motion against the speaker was also due but this process was also being delayed.

The PA speaker reportedly deferred the session following the arrest of a senior official of the assembly and harassment of others at the hands of police.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022