Interim setup: Names surface for caretaker CM

K-P CM and opposition leader hold meeting, no consensus reached.


Baseer Qalandar March 03, 2013
Amir Haider Hoti. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR:


A consensus on the interim chief minister (CM) of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is yet to be reached. It remains unclear whether the interim CM will be a retired judge, bureaucrat or army official.


K-P CM Amir Haider Hoti and opposition leader Akram Khan Durrani recently held a one-on-one meeting during which seven names surfaced for potential candidates. These names are still under consideration and no formal understanding has been reached.

Durrani told The Express Tribune the proposed names include former chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Shakeel Durrani, a close aide of Saifullah brothers Ayub Khattak, Brigadier Asad Munir, former chief secretary Khalid Aziz, Barrister Zahoorul Haq, Justice Abdur Rehman and AG Khan.

“The same names were finalised by the federal government and given to the provincial government for further deliberations,” said a senior official wishing to remain anonymous.

Hoti claimed Awami National Party (ANP) consulted the Pakistan Peoples Party before the meeting. “They have also given their names and ANP has no objection over them,” he added. “The government and opposition will announce the interim CM, who will make his own cabinet accordingly.”

Qaumi Watan Party’s provincial chairman and MPA Sikandar Sherpao said he has not been contacted on matters relating to the caretaker set up. The opposition parties will also hold meetings to discuss potential candidates for the interim CM under the supervision of the opposition leader, he added.

“Their names will be communicated to all the parties and we will also give our names to him (opposition leader),” he said. He, however, maintained they have not given any names thus far, adding the government is busy in the all-parties conference sponsored by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), which is why a consensus has not been reached.

Political analysts say an agreement over these names is lacking. They maintain there is a high probability of Shakeel or Khattak being chosen for the job.

Shakeel served as the Wapda chairman a year earlier. He is said to have a solid command of handling political affairs. He also has cordial relations with political parties, including JUI-F, ANP and PPP, which is why he could be expected to be selected as the interim CM.

It is possible that JUI-F may have little or no objection over Shakeel, while Khattak is also a strong candidate who cannot be ignored. He maintains strong ties with the centre along with the Saifullah brothers in southern K-P, making him as suitable for the slot.

Names which have so far come forth suggest the government and opposition want to keep controversy at bay by appointing neutral and apolitical caretakers. Earlier, reports indicated ANP’s willingness to suggest the name of industrialist Mohsin Aziz among its nominees for caretaker CM. However, JUI-F objected, saying he was close to the ruling party.

Other parties have also expressed concerns over the nomination of caretakers. PML-N leaders on Friday made it clear they will not accept a handpicked CM and demanded that all opposition parties should be consulted.

Major political parties will have a chance to settle their differences in the upcoming assembly session, scheduled for Monday. Constitutionally, however, it will boil down to a six-member committee constituted by the speaker if the leader of the house and opposition fail to reach an understanding.

The caretaker selection is likely to gain momentum Monday onwards. If Shakeel Durrani is indeed made the caretaker chief minister, it will be the second time a former WAPDA chief will lead K-P’s interim setup. Earlier in 2008, former WAPDA chairman Shumsul Mulk led the caretaker setup in erstwhile NWFP.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

Sufi | 11 years ago | Reply

None of these names are going to become chief minister, mark my word. There are two other names that are fore runners for the slot. Hint both are retired civil servants.

Blithe | 11 years ago | Reply

Shakeel Durrani please.

He'll not only remane prohibit to neutral NWFP but also start work on Kalabagh Dam.

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