LAHORE: Acting Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and PML-Q will not accept Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) nominated caretaker Punjab CM.

After dissolution of Punjab Assembly, consultations between ruling PTI and PML-Q and opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz are underway for appointment of caretaker Chief Minister. Opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz has sent names of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Ahad Raza Cheema to Punjab governor for appointment as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab.

PTI-PMLQ has finalised three names for caretaker Punjab CM. Names included Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, former Health Minister Naseer Khan and former Chief Secretary Nasir Saeed Khosa. Talking to media here, Punjab CM Elahi said that PTI and PML-Q will approach Supreme Court if CEC nominated caretaker Punjab Chief Minister.

“We have sent our final nominees to Punjab Governor for caretaker CM,” said Pervaiz Elahi, adding that there would be no changes in nominees.

As per Constitution, both sides have to agree on one name as caretaker CM. However, if this does not happen, matter will be referred to parliamentary committee to be set up by Speaker, which will consider names within three days. As per procedure laid out in law, Speaker will have to constitute a six-member committee comprising three MPAs each nominated by outgoing ruling party and opposition. In case of failure to reach an agreement, task to appoint interim CM would be handed over to ECP.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 20 2023

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