Chief Minsiter Usman Buzdar’s spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill has resigned from his post while Awn Chaudhry, who was working as CM’s advisor, has been sacked, South Punjab News reported Friday. In a sudden turn of events, Dr.Gill declined to serve as Punjab Chief Minister's advisor cum spokesman
“I hereby resign from the post of official spokesperson to CM Punjab,” Gill stated in a note of resignation addressed to the chief minister, a copy of which is available with this blog.
The news comes after Gill tweeted on Friday afternoon that he had taken an "important decision" in the morning today. "Will share with you soon," he wrote.
The name of the person who will replace him has not been announced as yet.
Among other changes in the Punjab cabinet announced today, Awn Chaudhry was removed as an advisor to the Punjab chief minister.
"Chief Minister is pleased to appoint Mr Asif Mehmood as Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab in place of Mr Muhammad Awn Chaudhry with immediate effect," a notification issued by Buzdar's office said.
Mehmood shall act as Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on "Affairs related to Punjab Horticulture Authorities (PHAs) and Tourism", it added.
Separately, Chief Minister Buzdar in a communiqué to the Punjab acting governor advised him to appoint Malik Asad Ali, a member of Punjab Assembly, as a provincial minister.
“In pursuance of Article 132 (1), read with Article 105 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Governor of Punjab is hereby advised to appoint Malik Asad Ali, member of Provincial Assembly of Punjab (PP-168) [...] as provincial minister,” the letter read.
Meanwhile, Asif Mehmood was appointed as CM's Advisor on Tourism and Horticulture and a notification in this regard has been issued.
"I hereby resign from the post of Official Spokesperson to CM Punjab," Gill wrote in a hand-written note without specifying any reason.
