The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday ordered Hamza Shehbaz to remain as the “trustee” Punjab Chief Minister (CM) until the hearing resumes on Monday in the PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi’s petition against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari’s ruling in the provincial CM’s election.
The order was issued by the three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) comprising of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Munib Akhtar, who directed Hamza Shehbaz to act as “trustee” Punjab Chief Minister (CM) to avoid creating a vacuum in such a large province.
“Cannot leave the province without a Chief Executive.” said the court, adding that the incumbent Punjab CM will work in accordance of the law and the Constitution and would not be allowed to use his powers in many manner that would benefit himself.
The apex court also ordered Advocate-General Punjab, Irfan Qadir, who is representing the deputy speaker, to submit a written response regarding the CM election case. Meanwhile, AG Punjab Irfan Qadir added that the deputy speaker deemed the party head as the head of the parliamentary party.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz was re-elected as Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab after he bagged 179 votes against Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) candidate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, who bagged 186 votes, after 10 votes cast by PML-Q were rejected by the Deputy Speaker, Mohammad Dost Mazari.
Read more: Hamza Shehbaz Re-Elected As Punjab CM.