The Supreme Court has allowed Hamza Shahbaz to stay as a “trustee” Punjab chief minister until it resumes hearing on Monday on the plea filed by PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari’s ruling, rejecting PML-Q lawmakers’ votes during the election for the province’s chief executive.
Earlier on Friday, the deputy speaker had declared Hamza winner of the chief minister’s election after rejecting 10 votes of the PML-Q lawmakers, citing party head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s letter, instructing party members to cast their votes in favour of Hamza.
A three-member bench of the top court, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhter, heard Elahi’s petition today.
The court said that Hamza would work in accordance with the law and the Constitution until the next hearing on Monday, adding that the PML-N leader is not allowed to use his power as chief minister in any way that would benefit him personally.
During the hearing, Elahi’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, requested the top court to at least prevent Hamza from forming a cabinet, on which the court said he could form one but it should be as small as possible.
Earlier on Friday, the deputy speaker had declared Hamza winner of the chief minister’s election after rejecting 10 votes of the PML-Q lawmakers, citing party head Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s letter, instructing party members to cast their votes in favour of Hamza.
A three-member bench of the top court, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhter, heard Elahi’s petition today.
The court said that Hamza would work in accordance with the law and the Constitution until the next hearing on Monday, adding that the PML-N leader is not allowed to use his power as chief minister in any way that would benefit him personally.
During the hearing, Elahi’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, requested the top court to at least prevent Hamza from forming a cabinet, on which the court said he could form one but it should be as small as possible.