Lahore: Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman de-notification and notification issued by Chief Secretary Punjab for removal of Chief Minister Punjab Pervez Elahi and dissolving of provincial cabinet while Pervez Elahi has been restored on his post and cabinet also restored.
A five-member larger bench headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh comprising Justice Asim Hafeez, Justice Saleem Sheikh, Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir heard the Pervez Elahi petition against Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman de-notification four ouster him from his post and dissolving the provincial cabinet.
The court has adjourned the session till January 11 after issuing notices to Federal government, Governor Punjab, Speaker Punjab Assembly and others and asked their response.
The court has called Attorney General and Advocate General Punjab for assistance to the court.
The court has pronounced an interim order on ensurity of Chief Minister Punjab Pervez Elahi that he will not dissolute the assembly.
The LHC said that if CM willing to take a vote of confidence then he can take it but he court is not bounding him to do so.
Counsel of the CM Punjab Barrister Ali Zafar said that the court has not bound the CM to take vote of confidence.
While approving Pervez Elahi petition for hearing Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh said that we have to take a balance decision that’s why the court has taken undertaking.
The head of the bench said that the hearing on petition will be held after winter vaccations while counsel of governor insisted the court to give date for the hearing.
The court said that we can give maximum 10 days time while the governor counsel said that the court determine taking vote of confidence and give maximum four days time to Chief Minister Punjab Pervez Elahi.
Earlier, Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) had constituted a new 5-member larger bench for hearing Chief Minister Punjab Pervez Elahi petition against de-notification of him by the Governor from his post and dissolving of Punjab Cabinet.
Earlier bench, which was also formed today wad dissolved after an objection raised on Justice Farooq Hyder that he has been counsel of petitioner once.
Later Justice Farooq Hyder refused to become part of the bench and eventually the bench was dissolved. Then Justice Asim Hafeez included the bench replacing Justice Farooq Hyder.
