PML-N draws up list for caretaker PM post

[Devil Soul]

PML-N draws up list for caretaker PM post
By Abdul Manan
Published: September 13, 2012
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has put together its list of prospective candidates for the post of caretaker prime minister following a meeting presided over by party chief Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Tuesday, sources told The Express Tribune.

The party will now officially contact all political parties within and outside parliament for their lists.
According to sources, the PML-N has put togther a total of nine names for the caretaker prime minister post, giving equal representation to all provinces: Two candidates each were chosen from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while one was taken from Islamabad.

The Express Tribune was able to confirm a few of the nine names: Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid and the chief of a Sindhi national party, Awami Tehreek, Rasul Bux Palejo were chosen from Sindh. From Balochistan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s and Sardar Attaullah Khan Mengal’s names have been finalised. From Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa sources confirmed the name of Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the former chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). From Punjab, reports suggested that the name of noted human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir has been selected – however, the claim of the inclusion of her name could not be verified during crosschecks.

Formal contact
PML-N senior leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had earlier informally contacted all political parties to discuss their choices of candidates for the interim prime minister. The party now plans to formally document the names and dispatch them to the heads of various political parties.

Sources claim that the PML-N had also reached out to the PTI, who raised objections over Asma Jahangir’s inclusion and handed over their own choices, which, sources claim, are Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle and former federal minister Abdul Razzaq Dawood. The PML-N has included PTI’s choices in the list, which they would also forward to the heads of all political parties.

PTI Central Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood denied the report, saying that his party neither raised objections over any name nor was it consulted by the PML-N, so far. Once the opposition finalises its candidates amongst itself, it will bring the matter to the government for discussion.

PML-N Deputy General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal and party leader Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi confirmed that Tuesday’s meeting had deliberated over the caretaker set up. Abbasi did say that the PML-N would complete the process of formally contacting other parties on this matter as soon as possible.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2012.

 

[Devil Soul]

Caretaker setup: We have names submitted by PTI on record, says Chaudhry Nisar
By Sunara Nizami
Published: September 13, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Following Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) denial of being taken into confidence over the caretaker prime minister shortlist by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Thursday they had the names sent in by PTI “on record”.
He was briefing the media in Islamabad about the shortlisted names of potential candidates for the caretaker prime minister post that opposition was sending to the political parties so they could “reflect upon them, form opinions and send the list back in order of priority”.
The opposition leader said that if one party stood opposed on any one name, it would be removed from the list after forming a consensus.
He said that only seven names were being sent right now following PTI’s “backtracking”.
“They submitted the names but then said it had not been done with a party consultation,” said Nisar.
If they did not consult, it is their fault; not ours,” he added.
“If they accept that they have sent these names (which they did, we have a record), then we will add these two names from PTI and make it a list of 9,” he said, adding, “We will add that this is PTI’s proposal.”
Nisar further said that those who talked about bringing a revolution should not be backtracking on their own statements.
Nisar confirmed that Sardar Ataullah Mengal was among the shortlisted, as was “one female leader of the lawyer community”. He said that two were former Supreme Court judges and the remaining three were politically affiliated people.
He said that he had contacted other political parties to inform them that the list was being sent.
“I have spoken to Syed Munawwar Hassan, Aftab Sherpao, Saleem Saifullah, Mir Hasil Khan Bazenjo Liaquat Baloch and others in this regard,” said Nisar.
Adding to the list of political parties to whom the names would be sent, he said that the Sunni Tehreek and two religious parties which were politically affiliated would also be included.
He said that after discussing with his party, he would suggest two names as well.
“We want names to which everyone agrees,” said Nisar. “If the government agrees. well and good; if not, then the Election Commission will decide itself,” he said, adding that the ECP would surely pick names the public could trust.
Earlier, the PML-N had put together its list of potential candidates for the caretaker prime minister post in a meeting that was chaired by Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.

Caretaker setup: We have names submitted by PTI on record, says Chaudhry Nisar – The Express Tribune