Zardari imposes Governor’s rule in Punjab

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari imposed Governor’s rule in Punjab province, hours after the Supreme Court declared the election of its Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif null and void forcing him to step down.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday imposed Governor’s rule in Punjab province, hours after the Supreme Court declared the election of its Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif null and void forcing him to step down.

HT Image

“On the advice of the Prime Minister under Article 237 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has imposed Governor Rule in the province of Punjab with immediate effect for a period of two months,” the President’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said in a statement.

The proclamation to impose Governor’s rule was issued soon after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Zardari in the Presidency this evening.

“On receipt of report from the Governor of Punjab and other information made available, I am satisfied that the situation has arisen in which the Government of the province of the Punjab cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” the proclamation said.

It noted that “an unprecedented and unique constitutional void has been created” in Punjab province after the Supreme Court’s decision on “the disqualification/unseating” of Shahbaz Sharif as Member of Provincial Assembly. (More)