Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the disqualifications of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif in an election case, which means they can no longer hold any public office. As it was not enough, President Asif Zardari suspended the provincial assembly of the Punjab province and dissolved the provincial cabinet for two months. Political experts say the move is aimed at to stop Sharif's party to elect a new chief minister.
Here is the text of Zardari's order:
GOVERNOR RULE IN PUNJAB
Islamabad , 25th February, 2009
Spokesperson of the President Senator (Retd) Farhatullah Babar has issued the following statement:-
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. A proclamation was issued to this effect under the signatures of the President soon after the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani met the President in the Presidency Wednesday evening.
Following is the text of the proclamation
“WHEREAS I, Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on receipt of report from the Governor of the Punjab and other information made available, 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.
“AND WHEREAS an unprecedented and unique constitutional void has been created in the Province consequent upon the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan on 25 February 2009 in the matter of disqualification/unseating of Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Member of Provincial Assembly.
“Now, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 234 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, I hereby-
a) “Direct the Governor of the Punjab to assume on my behalf the functions of the Government of that Province;
b) Make the following incidental and consequential provision which appear to be necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of this Proclamation:-
the Chief Minister and Provincial Ministers of that province shall forthwith cease to hold office;
ii) in the exercise of the functions which the Governor has been directed to assume hereinbefore stated, the Governor shall act to such extent and subject to such conditions as I shall, from time to time, deem fit to give or impose.
“This Order shall, unless revoked earlier, remain in force for a period of two monthsâ€.
Signed
Asif Ali Zardari
President
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