PML-N objects to govt nominees on interim set up; withdraws Justice (r) Shakirullah

ISLAMABAD:

Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rejecting the names for the caretaker PM presented by the government has announced that the political leadership would choose the next caretaker PM.

Talking to reporters in his chamber on Friday, Ch Nisar said that his party very carefully and honestly had chosen the names for the care taker PM and those were chosen who had no what so ever link with the PMLN. Nisar further said that he had objections over the names proposed by the government.

“One nominee was the finance minister 15 days ago, Justice (retd) Khoso was close to Benazir Bhutto and is over 80 years old and Ishrat Husain does not meet the criteria for caretaker PM.” Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Rasool Bux Palijo are the reaming nominees of the opposition for the post of care- taker prime minister. Nisar said he would speak to Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, adding that there would be no compromise on the caretaker prime minister and chief minister of Punjab.

Nisar further said that he had objections over the names proposed by the government. “One nominee was the finance minister 15 days ago, Justice (retd) Khoso was close to Benazir Bhutto and Ishrat Husain does not meet the criteria for caretaker PM.”

He made it clear that no crae taker PM would be chosen on the pressure of international monetary agencies and PML-N would not accept any name without the consultation with the opposition. He said that only that person would be made care taker PM who is acceptable to all. Nisar said PML-N has summoned an important meeting of the party today on Saturday. The meeting would be attended by Mian Shahbaz Sharif as well. He warned that if Sindh and Balochistan make an underhanded deal and appoint care taker CMs than PML-N would decided when Punjab assembly would be dissolved. He said any such step by the government would derail the reconciliation atmosphere

Nisar said that PML (N) has decided to withdraw the name of Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan for the slot of caretaker prime minister. Khan said that he will write a new letter to the prime minister in which only two names – Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Rasool Bux Palejo – would be proposed again.

According to sources, the PML-N will push for the appointment of justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid for caretaker prime minister. With Justice (r) Shakirullah Jan’s name revoked.