Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) picked Mohsin Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister Punjab. He was the PML-N’s nominee. Naqvi is the owner of a media house and said to be very close to PPP leader co-chairman.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja made the decision during a meeting. All four ECP members and the electoral watchdog’s secretary attended the meeting.
The matter was referred to the ECP as the parliamentary committee had failed to reach a consensus on the matter.
The outgoing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi had nominated the names of Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera and Naveed Akram Cheema. While the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz had endorsed the names of Mohsin Naqvi and Ahad Cheema.
The Unusual Delay
The appointment of the caretaker CM faced an unusual delay after the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly last week due to constant back-and-forth between the provincial government and the opposition on the nominees.
The Apprehensive alliance
Earlier, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry had said that PDM has “something else” in mind than holding the elections. He had also reiterated PTI forewarning that it will move the court as well as go to streets if the election watchdog did not choose care-taker CM Punjab on merit. The party alleged PDM alliance of exerting its clout in getting one of its nominees become Punjab’s interim chief minister.
While referring to PDM’s names, Mr Chaudhry had said, “We are not going to allow the appointment of any of the ‘two controversial’ nominees. If ECP picks one of them we will challenge this in court and take to the streets against such appointment.”
Endorsing Mr Chaudhry’s views, party Senator Barrister Ali Zafar had said PTI would approach a court of law if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to appoint the CM on merit.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow
