Sindh CM to consult opposition leader about caretaker chief executive

Zardari has reportedly directed Murad Shah to persuade a reluctant Hasan to discuss the matter

KARACHI: With the general elections approaching fast, debates have begun in the corridors of power surrounding the caretaker government. This is especially true in Sindh, where the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government is keen to bring in a caretaker chief minister of its choice.

However, to do so they must consult with the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly but he is unwilling to discuss the issue with them. Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting on Thursday with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in Naudero and directed him to persuade opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan to discuss the appointment of a caretaker CM. Hasan, who belongs to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has already expressed his reluctance to sit with the incumbent CM and discuss the matter. "I will not discuss the appointment of the caretaker chief minister with the CM," Hasan told the media a few days ago.

The tenure of the current assembly will end on May 28. According to the law, the caretaker CM must be appointed through consultation between the CM and leader of the opposition of the outgoing assembly.



"A parliamentary committee comprising government and opposition members has to finalise the names of the caretaker chief minister. If they fail to reach a consensus, then the election commission has to make the decision," a senior official in the law department explained.

Sources said that the PPP has not short-listed the candidate for CM yet, but the names of an economist who had served in various international institutions and banks, a retired judge and a technocrat are being floated for the post.

"So far, almost all opposition parties in Sindh have evolved a consensus to let the election commission decide who the caretaker CM will be. They are not in the mood to consult with the incumbent CM and bring in a CM of [the PPP’s] choice," explained an opposition member familiar with the development. "The opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly has also assured us that he will take all opposition members into confidence on this issue. So far, we have decided to boycott consultation with the CM," he said, reasoning that the PPP government has rigged the election in the past by bringing its own caretaker CM in to influence the electoral process. However, sources in the PPP said that after his meeting with Zardari, Shah will approach Hasan again and try to convince him to discuss the caretaker CM issue.



"The rupee is devaluing and our country is facing economic challenges now. So, the first priority of the government is to nominate an economist as chief minister in the province," said sources, adding that the same policy is likely to be adopted by the federal government.

On the other hand, the spokesperson for Naudero House rebutted reports of a meeting on the caretaker setup and said the party's internal issues and development issues were discussed in the different meetings. According to a statement issued by Naudero House, Zardari presided over a meeting of party leaders, MNAs and MPAs belonging to Kamber-Shahdadkot district at Naudero House on Thursday. PPP Womens Wing President and MNA Faryal Talpur was also present.

The meeting discussed the overall development process in the district. Those who attended the meeting included MNAs Nazir Ahmed Bughio and Ramesh Lal and MPAs Mir Nadir Khan Magsi and Sardar Khan among others.