LHC disposes of CM Elahi's petition after governor withdraws de-notification order.

LAHORE -- Following a late-night chaotic session of the Punjab Assembly during which Chief Minister Parvez Elahi managed to secure the lawmakers' confidence, Governor Baligh Ur Rehman told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that he has taken back his order de-notifying the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker as the leader of the house.

Elahi had challenged the governor's orders last month after he was de-notified as chief minister. However, the LHC restored him when he assured the bench that he will not dissolve the assembly till the next hearing.

A five-member bench headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh - comprising Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir, and Justice Asim Hafeez - heard the case.

During today's hearing, Barrister Ali Zafar, the counsel for the chief minister, informed the bench that his client had taken the vote of confidence. He added that 186 members expressed confidence in Parvez Elahi.

While the governor's counsel, Mansoor Usman Awan, also confirmed to the bench that the chief minister had taken the vote of confidence.

'Is the governor satisfied with the vote of confidence?' asked Justice Abid.

At this, Awan urged the bench to make the assembly proceedings part of the court's record.

Turning towards Zafar, Justice Abid asked the CM's lawyer if he intended further hearing on the petition as Elahi's floor test was complete.

On this, Zafar agreed that after the vote of confidence the petition had become ineffective but he would like to argue on the governor's notification as it was a 'matter of principle', adding that the governor should have given reasons to remove the CM and the cabinet.

'Governor's notification was not legal,' insisted Zafar.

Upon hearing this, Justice Abid remarked that the issue regarding the vote of confidence had been settled but now the bench had to decide whether the governor's notification was legal or not.

However, Justice Hafeez remarked that if Zafar was contesting the legality of the governor's order then the issue would reach a logical end.

Justice Abid agreed with the observation, saying the LHC would have to look into everything.

At this, Barrister Zafar argued that the governor's de-notification order was illegal, and urged the court to...