The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) top leadership has politely refused to entertain Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar’s wish list to handle Pakistan’s foreign affairs, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to sources, the party urged Sarwar to continue his role as governor of Punjab and mediator between the PML-N and protesting parties in the capital.
Sarwar, who maintains good relations with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, met with the CM last week and the governor was informed that demands on his ‘wish list’ have not been met. Sarwar was told that his role as mediator has been greatly appreciated by the chief minister. The governor was told that his current portfolio is ‘enough’ for the time being, sources said.
Sarwar’s meetings with the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as well as with Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain in London took place with Shahbaz Sharif’s consent.
The governor’s wish list
Sources said the Punjab governor wishes to play a greater role in Pakistan’s foreign affairs. In December last year the European Union (EU) granted Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan with 406 votes, allowing Pakistani products duty-free access to European markets. Governor Sarwar is credited for this achievement as he successfully lobbied in European capitals for the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan.
However, the prime minister’s advisers on foreign affairs Tariq Fatimi and Sartaj Aziz have reportedly strongly opposed a greater role for Sarwar in this area.
Sarwar claimed that in 2007 former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had offered him the position of foreign minister. According to a PML-N federal minister who wished to remain anonymous, Sarwar requested the party leadership to appoint him foreign affairs adviser or a permanent representative in the United Nations.
The governor’s press secretary Agha Masood Shorish told The Express Tribune that while he cannot comment on the governor’s behalf regarding any such request, in his personal opinion, the governor should be elevated as in-charge of foreign affairs. “The governor is an appropriate choice for foreign minister as he did an excellent job on the GSP Plus project,” Shorish said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2014.
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Sarwar does not belong in the PML; he is honest and they are as rare as hens teeth in the PML. His natural home is the PTI and it's a matter of time before it happens.
The portfolio of Foreign minister needs to be filled by a full fledged minister with charisma and a dashing personality rather than by octagenerians like Fatimi and Sartaj Aziz.The Pmln should acquire the services of Hina Rabani Khar who has been one of the best foreign ministers that Pakistan has seen recently. And more importantly Pmln should find a suitable replacent for Choudary Nisar who is an unwilling home minister at the moment.
Smart move by the Governor.......he was trying to change his job and so also, his boss.
A few days back, perhaps a week, I have heard and seen Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar being interviewed by Anchor Ghori, ARY London where Gov very bitterly complained that he is not happy at all because neither he has any say nor he has any authority. He very categorically said that he is very much upset seeing that women are gang raped, people are killed for no reason and rhyme, many go on strikes etc to mention just a few but what surprises me that the one who is unhappy as Governor wants to be Foreign Minister with the same ruling party PML (N). How and when Governor Sarwar will enlighten me. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
The unfortunate dilemma with our country is that if you are competent then you do not have any place in our country, however if you are gullu but are most welcome
Why he looks so creepy. Is he M5?
@ Dr. Ijaz Habib Why is Sarwar more appropriate than Fatimi? You may not agree with Fatimi's views, but he has spent his entire life in service of this country. What do opportunists like Sarwar bring and who knows where his loyalties are? Fatimi is Pakistani and that requirement for high office transcends all else.
Most respected Br Sarwar. You were much better placed in UK but opted to be Governor instead so you have been blessed but now you wish to be Foreign Minister which has been turned down. What next (a) Return to UK or (b) continue as Governor or (c) quit as Governor. Unluckily you do not have a place in Naya Pakistan.
Being the governor of largest province if he is not happy he should resign and then play politics with ambitions. If this much power and prestige is not enough then go for something else. All the desires cannot be fulfilled there are other people waiting.
A job which was basically done by PPP Government. And now PMLN was to take credit hence the story. Shame on Editor.
Most respected Br Sarwar. You were much better placed in UK but opted to be Governor instead so you have been blessed but now you wish to be Foreign Minister which has been turned down. What next (a) Return to UK or (b) continue as Governor or (c) quit as Governor. Unluckily you do not have a place in Naya Pakistan. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Interesting , But Certainly Sarwar is much appropriate than Tariq Fatimi and Sartaj Aziz, both with s proven track of non-deliverance! (Almost 3-4 decades :)