In order to promote the PML-N in other provinces, particularly in K-P and Balochistan, it needs to be more inclusive.
SYDNEY: This is with reference to Dr SM Taha’s article “Assessing the PML-N’s performance so far” (January 23). The writer points out that when in power, the PPP despite having originated in Sindh, nominated two prime ministers from Punjab, while the PML-N, being predominantly a Punjab-based party has not appointed anyone from the smaller provinces to a prominent position.
I would like to point out that while in power, the decision to appoint prime ministers hailing from Punjab was made by the president, who was from Sindh, and being the head of the party, he was calling the shots.
The PML-N did start off cautiously during its term in office in the first six months as the key persons — the president, the army chief and the chief justice — were from previous dispensations and the ruling party waited before making important decisions as it wanted to appoint trusted people to these posts. I hope the government will go full throttle now with the start of the new year. However, over-centralisation of decision-making within the Sharif family and its kitchen cabinet comprising mainly people from Punjab, is not good for the party or the country. In order to promote the PML-N in other provinces, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, it needs to be more inclusive. This is the best time for the PML-N to do so when the PPP’s reach has been limited to Sindh only.
Munir A Saeed
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2014.
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