Soon after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed opposition nominee Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as the interim Chief Minister of Punjab, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday categorically rejected the decision. announced. “Naqvi” as a “controversial” figure.
The election authority’s decision comes after the government and the opposition failed to reach a consensus on a caretaker chief executive, a move that appears to have ushered in a new round of conflict in the country.
In a statement, the ECP said that in a meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, it was unanimously decided to appoint Naqvi as supervisor to Chief Minister Punjab.
ECP members Nisar Ahmad Durrani, Shah Mohammad Jatoi, Babar Hassan Bharwana and Justice (Rtd) Ikramullah Khan were among the participants of the meeting.
Meanwhile, the ECP issued a notification in this regard and wrote to the provincial governor to administer oath to Naqvi.
After there was no consensus, the matter was referred to the Election Commission under Clause 3 of Article 224-A of the Constitution.
Election Commission Secretary Umar Hameed Khan, Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Hussain, Director Generals and Additional DGs of the concerned departments were among the 15 participants of the special meeting of the Election Supervisor.
Khan and Iqbal briefed the meeting on the matter. Sources privy to the development said Huddle decided on the matter after considering all legal and constitutional aspects.
PTI rejected Election Commission’s decision.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry rejected Naqvi’s appointment as Caretaker Chief Executive Punjab and vowed to campaign vigorously against “this system”.
Reacting to this decision, Fawad said that there is no option left but to come to the streets against this system.
He added that he rejected the ECP’s decision to appoint a “controversial” person to the important post.
Taking a jibe at the election watchdog, he said that the ECP has never disappointed him.
Fawad asked the PTI workers to prepare themselves for a vigorous campaign under the leadership of Imran Khan.
Fawad Chaudhry on social networking site Twitter warned that people will now make their own decisions. He wrote, “[We] reject the appointment of Mohsin Raza Naqvi [as Caretaker Chief Minister].
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar also took to the micro-blogging site and called the ECP’s decision a mockery of the Constitution.
محسن نقوی کی بطور نگران وزیر اعلیٰ تعیناتی آئن کے ساتھ مذاق کے مترادف ہے. تحریک انصاف اس کے خلاف قانونی چیلنج بھی کرے گی اور عوامی احتجاج بھی
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 22, 2023
Criticizing the decision, another senior PTI leader and former education minister Shafqat Mehmood tweeted: “The person who is considered most unfit for the post.”
He also claimed, “It is practically handing over power to [PML]N and PPP to hold elections in Punjab.”
What a mockery ECP appointing Mohsin Naqvi as caretaker CM; The one man considered most unsuitable for this position. This amounts to virtually handing over power to N and PPP to conduct elections in Punjab. So much for free and fair elections
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 22, 2023
Elahi will go to Supreme Court against ‘controversial’ election.
Expressing serious reservations over the ‘controversial’ decision of the ECP, outgoing Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi announced a challenge to Naqvi’s appointment as interim chief executive in the Supreme Court.
Reacting to the verdict, the Chief Minister questioned: “How can justice be expected from such a person who took a plea bargain of Rs 35 lakh?”
The outgoing chief executive also said the “controversial decision” was against every rule and regulation.
To be or not to be
Commenting on the appointment of the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, lawyer Raza Ali predicted that the selection would be challenged in court. “It will be challenged, even if they have to for cosmetic reasons because within the next 60 days in any case, there are elections and the challenge will be quite short.”
The legal expert added that the ECP “finds it unusual to inform the interim Chief Minister”, as according to his understanding, he has neither the authority nor the mandate to do so “unless he is asked by the Governor”. Do not receive direct instructions from”.
“It seems pretty vague at the moment because I’m not sure there’s a lot of law and jurisprudence developed on it,” he added.
Mohsin Raza Naqvi in focus
Born in Lahore, Mohsin Raza Naqvi is a journalist by profession. He received his higher education in America and was associated with American TV channel CNN during his stay in Miami. After returning to Pakistan, he served as the regional head of CNN.
According to a report, former prime minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, whom Mohsin interviewed, was the last person he contacted before his assassination.
Mohsin founded the local Media City News Network in 2009 at the age of 30 and now owns six news channels and one newspaper. He is also widely known in the political arena and has strong ties with important political figures.
deadline
Sunday (today) was the last day to name the electoral body for caretaker chief minister.
It should be noted that the outgoing Chief Minister Punjab Pervez Elahi had suggested the names of Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhira and Naveed Akram Cheema, while the opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz had forwarded the names of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Ahad Khan Cheema.
The matter reached the ECP when the parliamentary committee constituted by the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly failed to reach a consensus on a candidate for the post of caretaker provincial chief executive.
