Pakistan’s largest province in political turmoil as governor de-notifies chief minister, dissolves Cabinet

By Kiran Butt

LAHORE, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan’s largest province Punjab faces political turmoil as the governor de-notified the chief minister and dissolved the provincial Cabinet late on Thursday night.

Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Q which is the coalition partner of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in central eastern Punjab province, on Friday took the matter to the Lahore High Court, arguing that Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman’s order de-notifying him as the province’s chief minister is “unconstitutional, unlawful and of no legal effect.”

According to a notification issued on Friday at 01:00 a.m., the governor said the chief minister has not been able to take a vote of confidence at the appointed time and day that was asked by the governor on Dec. 22, which is why he can no longer hold the office.

Parvez Elahi is hereby asked to continue to hold office until his successor takes the office, said the notification.

The Punjab governor took the action in a bid to forestall ousted Premier Imran Khan’s plan to dissolve the Punjab Assembly.

Khan had already given a call to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies in order to hold early elections.

It is important to mention that Elahi became the chief minister in July with the help of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and also supported Imran Khan in his announcement of dissolving the assemblies.