The Lahore High Court restored on Thursday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Sardar Usman Buzdar as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab.
The development comes as the high court annulled the election of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Hamza Shahbaz’s election as Punjab chief minister.
A five-member larger bench headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali pronounced the verdict on the petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The verdict was a 4-1 as only Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi held a different opinion on the matter.
“In view of the above, the Constitutional petitions are allowed in the manner that impugned letter dated 16.04.2022, addressed to Governor of the Punjab by Deputy Speaker, pronouncing respondent-Muhammad Hamza Shahbaz Sharif as successful member elected for the office of Chief Minister, and Notifications dated 30.04.2022, regarding administration of oath by respondent Muhammad Hamza Shahbaz Sharif as Chief Minister and cessation of Mr. Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar to hold the office of Chief Minister are set aside being illegal and without lawful authority,” the court said.
Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar, is restored to the office of Chief Minister of the Punjab with immediate effect, as he was on said date, the order stated.
