Lahore: Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz on Monday directed Muslim League (N) leader Malik Ahmad Khan to consult Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on the appointment of caretaker setup in Punjab.
According to party sources, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Malik Ahmad Khan contacted Chief Minister Elahi on Monday to consult on the interim setup. In the debate, Elahi said that he had suggested names which would be acceptable to the PML-N as well.
On Sunday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader forwarded the names of Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhira, Nasir Ahmad Khan and Nasir Mehmood Khosa to Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman for caretaker chief minister.
Governor Punjab admitted receiving the names in a tweet on Monday and said that I have received three names from Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi which are being sent to the opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif. I would like to see the two leaders jointly agree on any name within the stipulated period.
I have received three names from Chief Minister Parvez Ilahi which are being forwarded to Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif. I would like to see both of the leaders jointly agree on any name within stipulated time. pic.twitter.com/MK7Ey6Jqg7
— M Baligh Ur Rehman (@MBalighurRehman) January 16, 2023
However, one of Pervez’s nominees, former civil servant Nasir Mehmood Khosa, declined to accept the post of caretaker chief minister when approached by the Muslim League-N.
PML-N huddle in Lahore
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a consultative meeting of the party at his residence Model Town on Monday. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal, top officials of Muslim League (N) and party leaders Azam Nazir Tarar, Ataullah Tarar, Malik Ahmed Khan and others.
Party chief Nawaz Sharif, who was to address the meeting through video link, did not attend. Party sources say that the former prime minister expressed his displeasure over the successful vote of confidence by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Punjab Assembly.
Sources say that the PML-N considered the names of Azam Salman, Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman Ramde, Nasir Masood and Justice (retd) Jawad S Khawaja for caretaker chief minister. However, according to JEE News, Khalilur Rehman Ramde refused to accept this post.
Shehbaz Sharif’s son Sulaiman Shahbaz, Chief Secretary Abdullah Sambal and DG Intelligence Bureau had separate meetings with the Prime Minister in Model Town.
If Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and Hamza Shehbaz fail to reach a consensus, the Speaker Punjab Assembly will form a parliamentary committee which will finalize the name within three days.
If the committee also fails to reach an agreement, the Election Commission will decide on a name for the interim chief minister from among the names sent by the government and the opposition.
