President Zardari Approves Governor Appointments for Punjab, KP, and Balochistan

President Zardari

In a significant development, President Asif Ali Zardari has given his approval for the appointments of Sardar Saleem Haider, Faisal Karim Kundi, and Jaffar Khan Mandokhail as governors of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan, respectively.

This decision, made public via a statement from the President’s Office, comes following the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in accordance with Article 101(1) of the Constitution.

The announcement follows meticulous deliberations by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who ultimately endorsed two party stalwarts, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and Faisal Karim Kundi, for the pivotal roles of Punjab and KP governorships, respectively.

Saleem Haider, a devoted member of the PPP hailing from Punjab’s Attock district, boasts a rich political career, having served as a former federal minister and aide to the prime minister for overseas Pakistanis during the previous tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

He presently holds the position of president of the Bilawal-led party’s Rawalpindi division, poised to succeed incumbent Governor Baligh Ur Rehman, a senior leader of the ruling PML-N.

Meanwhile, Faisal Karim Kundi, currently serving as the PPP’s central information secretary and a member of various executive committees, brings with him a wealth of experience and accolades.

Notably, he made history as the country’s youngest deputy speaker after being elected to the National Assembly in 2008.

Kundi’s multifaceted contributions span infrastructure development, educational reforms, and philanthropy, earning him respect both domestically and internationally.

Completing the trio is Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, whose extensive political journey in Balochistan includes ministerial roles in education, finance, and home affairs.

With a background in student politics and a track record of service to the province, Mandokhail’s appointment reflects a blend of experience and regional representation.

This development underscores a power-sharing agreement between the ruling parties, PML-N and PPP, aimed at forming a coalition government at the federal level.

As part of this agreement, the PPP, with its 54 National Assembly seats, has secured various constitutional posts, including governors of Punjab and KP, highlighting a collaborative approach to governance in Pakistan’s political landscape.