Political Appointments
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government, led by Maryam Nawaz, has made it clear to its coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), that political appointments will not be permitted in the provincial civil administration based on recommendations from either Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) or PPP Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) and Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs).
According to a source involved in the discussions between the PMLN and PPP regarding contentious issues in Punjab, there will be no compromise on the provincial government’s decision to avoid political appointments in the civilian bureaucracy.
The source indicated that the PPP was reasonable during these discussions and did not insist on its demand for a share in civil administration and police appointments in parts of Punjab where the PPP had won the February 2024 elections.
It was assured that all appointments in the civil administration and police would be made on merit, free from political interference, including from PMLN MNAs or MPAs.
Despite some budgetary issues causing unease within the PPP, a significant concern for the party was its perceived lack of political space in Punjab.
The PPP had reportedly been promised political space when it decided to join the treasury benches to help the PMLN form the government.
The PPP sought its share of appointments in Punjab’s bureaucracy, especially in districts where it had parliamentary representation.
However, Maryam Nawaz remains firm in her stance against making changes in the bureaucracy based on political recommendations, regardless of party affiliation.
The Punjab Chief Minister has unequivocally informed her own party MPs that political interference in civil administration and police will not be tolerated.
This decision has caused discomfort among many PMLN MPs and PPP MNAs and MPAs from Punjab.
Media reports suggested that during recent negotiations between the PPP and PMLN, the latter had agreed to allow the PPP to make its choice of appointments in civil administration and police in areas where the PPP had won the elections.
However, the source confirmed that no such agreement had been reached during the recent discussions between the PMLN and PPP concerning Punjab.
“Neither the chief minister is allowing such interference in administrative matters to PMLN MPs nor any such exception will be created for the PPP,” stated the source.
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