News Analysis |
Former bureaucrat Nasir Mehmood Khosa said that he regrets being nominated as the caretaker Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, saying his candidature has been made controversial in media by withdrawing his nomination.
In his exclusive talk with a private TV channel, on Thursday, he said that a baseless propaganda campaign was launched against him.
“It would have been better had consultations been made before proposing my name for this slot,” he added.
Read more: Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister: Who & How?
He underlined that he could not assume slot of caretaker CM Punjab in the prevailing situation. The caretaker CM should enjoy the confidence of the political parties for the sake of a transparent election.
Earlier CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and opposition leader in Punjab Assembly and PTI leader Mian Mehmood ur Rashid reached consensus on the nomination of Nasir Mehmood Khosa as caretaker CM. The formal announcement was also made on this count. However, the central leadership of PTI during the meeting of party’s core group under Imran Khan had expressed strong reservations over the name of Nasir Khan Khosa. Therefore, PTI decided to withdraw the name of Khosa as the caretaker chief minister.
Mian Mehmood ur Rashid confirmed this report, saying that a new name would be given after consultation.
“How can the nation hand over the reins of government to a person who lacks political acumen and cannot take vital decision for the country!”
According to sources, PTI leaders were of the view that this name was not in line with party policies because Nasir Mehmood Khosa has remained close to Sharif brothers. He has not only worked with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but he has remained chief secretary Punjab as well.
On the other hand, CM Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that summary regarding induction of Nasir Mehmood Khosa as caretaker chief minister Punjab has been sent by law department to governor house. If a summary is once forwarded to governor, it cannot be withdrawn, he pointed out.
Opponents lambast PTI
The government and the opposition criticized the PTI’s move of backtracking from Khosa name saying the party had become a laughing stock due to its track record of taking U-turns on every important political decision.
Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Pakistan People’s Party Secretary General, said the PTI’s role had been fully exposed “which also proves that the PTI is politically immature and cannot be trusted with government anywhere in Pakistan”.
Pakistan’s flamboyant media also lambasted PTI for its decision to withdraw Khosa’s name as caretaker CM Punjab.
Bukhari described withdrawing Khosa’s name as a manifestation of Khan’s inability to take decisions of national importance. “How can the nation hand over the reins of government to a person who lacks political acumen and cannot take vital decision for the country!”
Addressing a press conference, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also lambasted the PTI chief, who, she said, had a history of telling lies and conveniently taking ‘shameless’ U-turns.
Read more: PTI nominates names for Caretaker PM
“Running the country’s affairs is not a child’s play and Khan has proved he is not capable of that,” she said.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the name decided after the consultative process by both the government and the opposition could only be reconsidered with the consent of both sides.
“No side can unilaterally withdraw from the decision. Legally the name has been decided and there is no legal cover nor any precedent of reconsidering a name after a decision,” he said.
Pakistan’s flamboyant media also lambasted PTI for its decision to withdraw Khosa’s name as caretaker CM Punjab. Several PTI leaders found it difficult to defend this decision of their party. PTI is expected to grab maximum seats in the next general elections.