LAHORE, Dec 11: The Punjab government had appointed its ombudsman in August, but the governor did not administer oath to him despite three reminders from the chief minister office, says provincial PML-N President Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Khosa, who is also an adviser to the chief minister, claimed that law allowed an acting governor to perform all duties of the sitting governor except for dissolving the assembly.

Rejecting the claims of Governor Salmaan Taseer, the PML-N leader said the appointment of the provincial ombudsman had taken place in August, but his oath-taking was put on hold after the governor refused to administer him oath despite reminders from the provincial chief executive.

“Taseer’s claim that an acting governor cannot administer oath to the ombudsman is contrary to legal realities that allow the acting governor to perform such duties. The decision cannot be challenged in any court of law,” he said.

Answering a question about the continuing confrontation between the PML-N and the PPP in the province, Mr Khosa said: “There will be no problem if the governor acts in a non-partisan manner and does not overstep his mandate. The PPP representative in Punjab is Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed. Hence the controversial statements by governor cannot be taken as PPP policy.”

He said he would meet Raja Riaz tomorrow (Friday) to address any complaint he had with the PML-N government.

When asked to comment on governor’s decision to appoint the LHC Chief Justice or any one else, other than the speaker, as acting governor in his future absence, Mr Khosa said according to a 1997 Supreme Court decision, judiciary and administration would remain separate and no one from judiciary would be given an administrative responsibility.

He said the PML-N government was ready to take a fresh vote of confidence if asked to do so by the governor.