ISLAMABAD: The ongoing political turmoil over the appointment of Punjab governor was set to intensify, as the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Balighur Rehman as the new governor.
Rehman’s appointment with immediate effect was approved after a summary for the approval was circulated among the ministers, sources said, adding that the required number of ministers for passing the summary has given their consent.
“The Cabinet considered the summary dated 23rd May, 2022 submitted by the Cabinet Division, which was circulated in terms of rule 17(1)(b) read with rule 19(1) of the Rules of Business, 1973 for ‘Appointment of Governor of the Punjab’ and approved the appointment of Mr. Baligh Ur Rehman as Governor of the Punjab, with immediate effect,” read a notification of the cabinet’s decision.
Earlier, the federal government had nominated Rehman as the new governor of Punjab and the summary to replace PTI’s Omar Sarfaraz Cheema was sent to President Arif Alvi. However, the president had turned down the summary.
The PML-N-led coalition government had approached the president twice for Cheema’s removal but Alvi not only turned down the summary on both occasions but instructed Cheema to continue holding office until a decision was taken on the summary seeking his removal.
Rehman’s appointment is seen as crucial for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government as Cheema has constantly been giving tough time to the Centre, since the election of Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.
Punjab has been mired in a constitutional crisis since former chief minister Usman Buzdar tendered his resignation to pave the way for Punjab Assembly’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to become the new chief minister.
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