Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has now become the second provincial legislature to be dissolved in Khan’s bid to force snap polls.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: Reports coming in from Peshawar on Wednesday Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ghulam Ali has signed a summary for the dissolution of the provincial Assembly, sent the previous evening by Chief Minister Mehmood Khan.
The development comes on the quick heels of the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly, also on the beckoning of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly now stands dissolved, the second provincial legislature to be dissolved in Khan’s bid to force snap polls, although he has inexplicably announced his return to the National Assembly, apparently scuttling his earlier plan to pressurise the government by quitting the system.
The chief minister’s advice for the dissolution of the assembly is binding on the Governor under the law. It the governor does not dissolve the assembly, the assembly stands dissolved on its own 48 hours after the advice, due to complete at 9 pm on January 19 in this case.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mehmood Khan signed the summary calling for the dissolution of the assembly at 9 pm on Tuesday and sent it to the governor.
Chief Minister Mehmood Khan said that he followed the orders of Imran Khan and proved all the rumours false by signing the advice to dissolve the assembly. He said that he will return with a two-thirds majority in the future.
The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed confidence and they will choose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the next election as well, he said.
On the other hand, Barrister Saif, Special Assistant to the Provincial Government for Information, said that the summary of the dissolution of the Assembly has been sent to the Governor.
If the governor does not approve the summary, the assembly will automatically dissolve after 48 hours.
Later, the spokesperson of Governor House Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed receiving the summary of dissolution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali said that the advice to dissolve the assembly has been received.
The Governor was quoted as saying he will take his decision according to the Constitution and law after looking at all aspects of the matter.
After the dissolution of the assembly, Mehmood Khan will continue to work as acting chief minister till the caretaker chief minister is appointed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has started considering names for the head of the caretaker government. The names of retired bureaucrats, businessmen, lawyers are being discussed.
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