LHC nullifies Hamza Shehbaz’s CM Punjab election  

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the election of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif “null and void” and ordered re-election. 

According to details, the court accepted appeals of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed against the election of Hamza Shabaz as Chief Minister Punjab. 

Headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, a five-member bench--comprising Justice Shahid Jamil Khan, Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry, Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh-- announced the 4-1 verdict on pleas against Hamza’s election.

Reportedly, Justice Mahmood Sethi raised objections over some points. 

According to the written judgment, it was an "undeniable fact" that 25 PTI MPAs had voted in favour of Hamza Shahbaz, despite the party nominating PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi as its candidate.

The dissident lawmakers' move went against Article 63 A(1)(b) of the Constitution, the ruling added. 

The order, however, stated that Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar, is restored to the office of Chief Minister of  Punjab with immediate effect, as he was on said date. 

In its verdict, the larger bench directed Punjab Governor to call a session of the assembly on July 1 at 5pm for recounting of votes. 

Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar said Hamza Shehbaz is still Punjab’s Chief Minister and we have a simple majority of 177 votes in the house while the opposition has 168 members.

He said the court did not annul the previous decision nor did it order the fresh elections.

Attaullah Tarar said the Punjab Governor has been directed by the court to summon the Punjab Assembly session on Friday evening.

In the session, the recounting of votes for the election of Punjab Chief Minister will be held under Article-130 of the Constitution.

Hamza Shahbaz was elected as the Punjab CM on April 16 during a chaotic provincial assembly session. He received a total of 197 votes, including 25 by the PTI dissident lawmakers.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Hamza Shahbaz took oath as 21st Chief Minister of Punjab on April 30, 2022.

He was administered the oath by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on the directives of the LHC as the CM-elect had sought the high court’s intervention on the matter.