Pervaiz Elahi was removed as chief minister of Punjab by Baligh Ur Rehman, who also disbanded the provincial government.
LAHORE: On Thursday night, Punjab Governor Baligh Ur Rehman dismissed the provincial government and de-notified Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as chief minister.
The change occurred a few days after Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), declared on December 23 that the legislatures of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be dissolved.
The chief minister was not forthcoming with the request from the governor to hold a vote of confidence on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The governor’s notification reads: “Consequent to the facts that Ch. Pervaiz Elahi, Chief Minister Punjab refrained from obtaining vote of confidence at 1600 hrs yesterday [Wednesday], in line with an Order under Article 130(7) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, issued under my hand on 19th. December 2022, in line with Rule 22(7) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 1997, and that he still has not done so even after the lapse of another twenty four hours, I am satisfied that he does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Punjab Assembly, and therefore ceases to hold his office with immediate effect.”
The governor said, “In light of the foregoing, the Provincial Cabinet stands immediately dissolved.” The governor clarified, however, that Pervaiz Elahi will continue to retain office in accordance with Article 133 of the Constitution until his replacement assumes the position of chief minister.
“Further action may be done right away if it is essential. Given in Lahore, on 22nd day of December 2022, at 1600 hours,” the announcement said in its final sentence. The announcement was tweeted by the governor as well. Following the governor’s directive, the chief secretary of Punjab later issued a statement announcing that Pervaiz Elahi was no longer the province’s chief minister.
The notification (No .SO(CAB-II)2-12/2018 (Vol-II) issued by the Punjab, Services & General Administration Department stated: “In pursuance of the order of the Governor of the Punjab dated 22/12/2022 vide No. PSG-1-1/2022-57, Mr. Pervaiz Elahi has ceased to hold office of the Chief Minister Punjab with immediate effect. In consequence of the above, the Provincial Cabinet stands dissolved forthwith.