Pakistan home minister warns of governor's rule in Punjab amid tussle over CM post

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan interior (home) minister Rana Sanaullah warned on Wednesday of imposing governor's rule in Punjab if his entry into the country's most populous province was restricted, adding further to political uncertainty in a country faced with a grave economic crisis.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling to hand over control of Punjab to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, a candidate backed by former PM Imran Khan, some PTI leaders had suggested prohibiting Sanaullah from entering the country's most populous province.

The top court's verdict has ramped up pressure on the federal government of coalition parties led by PML-N, which had removed Khan from the premiership in April.

Addressing a press conference, the home minister said that banning him from entering the province would be a reason for governor's rule to be activated. "The summary to impose governor's rule is being drafted and I, personally, have started work on it."

The presser followed the swearing-in of PML-Q's Elahi as the CM. President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Elahi at the presidency in Islamabad after Punjab governor (from PML-N) refused.