Sindh governor’s post a new bone of contention

After Punjab, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are once against at loggerheads, this time over the appointment of a new governor of Sindh.

The president has temporarily suspended the implementation of a summary sent by the premier for the appointment of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) senior leader Nasreen Jalil as the governor.

A federal cabinet member, speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, revealed that prior to the formation of the incumbent coalition government, it was decided between the parties that the governorship of Sindh would be given to the MQM-P.

Premier Shehbaz sent the summary to the presidency in the second week of May, but it could not be approved despite a lapse of 10 days and the lack of any constitutional objection against it.

Sources said that the president was obstructing constitutional summaries sent by the prime minister, because of which federal affairs were being affected.

They added that the premier has appraised the coalition partners regarding the situation, and matters are being examined constitutionally and legally to make a decision. They further said that the federal government can move the Supreme Court (SC) in this case as well.

On the other hand, sources within the presidency denied the allegations, saying that the president was exercising his constitutional powers. They confirmed that the summary was received by the presidency, and the president will decide on it after a legal review.

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An MQM-P leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the party was concerned over the obstruction in this case, and the matter would be discussed with the premier, after which the Raabta Committee would take a decision.

It is worth mentioning here that after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Imran Ismail resigned as the governor, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani assumed his duties.

If Nasreen’s appointment is approved, she would become the 34th governor, and the second-ever woman to hold the coveted slot in Pakistan’s history. Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan served as the first woman governor of Sindh from February 15, 1973 to February 28, 1976.

Punjab’s governorship

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz on Sunday forwarded a second summary to President Alvi, seeking the appointment of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Balighur Rehman as the governor of Punjab.

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In his summary, the premier reiterated that Baligh was the most appropriate person for the said job.

The summary came in response to a statement by President Alvi to PM Shehbaz, wherein he asked the premier to reconsider his summary for the appointment of the Punjab governor.

In a statement issued by the President House, Alvi maintained that “there is no occasion to propose a new appointment of [the Punjab governor]” as Cheema still held office.

On May 9, President Alvi had “strongly rejected” PM Shehbaz’s advice to remove Cheema, saying that under Clause 3 of Article 101 of the Constitution, “the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President”.