Swearing-in ceremony of Punjab governor postponed, rescheduled

LAHORE: The swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has been postponed and is now expected to take place on Friday.

Sardar Salim Haider was nominated by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He was scheduled to take the oath of office on Tuesday evening. The Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) was to administer the oath of office to the new governor.

Read more: Newly appointed Punjab governor Sardar Saleem to take oath on May 7

However, according to sources, the outgoing Punjab governor was currently in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. In light of his absence, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly requested a delay in the swearing-in ceremony until his return.

As a result, the swearing-in of Sardar Salim Haider is now expected to take place on Friday.

The PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to be present during the oath-taking.

Sardar Saleem Haider Khan was approved as governor of Punjab on May 4 by President Zardari under article 101(1) of the constitution. His swearing-in oath ceremony was previously postponed on May 5 to Tuesday.

Read more: President Zardari approves appointments of governors for Punjab, KP and Balochistan

The PPP member has previously served as Minister of State for Defence Production from 2008 to 2011 and Minister of State for Defence from 2012 to 2013. He was also a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.