Governor’s replacement: For PPP, new nominee is part of South Punjab strategy

Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood’s resignation irks PML-F.

LAHORE/ KARACHI:

The Pakistan Peoples Party’s nomination of Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood, a Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) MPA hailing from Rahim Yar Khan as the new governor of Punjab, has come with strings attached.

Mehmood will withdraw his long-standing stance of the restoration of Bahawalpur province in exchange for the post. He will also have the authority to choose the people he wants to contest the upcoming elections for the eight constituencies of Rahim Yar Khan District on the PPP ticket, sources privy to the development said.

Incumbent Governor Sardar Latif Khosa will arrive in Karachi on Saturday (today), where Zardari will elevate him to an important portfolio. Speaking to the media, Khosa confirmed that whichever post President Zardari decides to assign him he would assume it without any hesitation. The notification for the appointment of Mehmood is expected in the coming days.

Sources close to former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, a first cousin of Mehmood’s who played a vital role in managing the deal between his cousin and the president, said that around a month-and-a-half ago, the deal was almost finalised, but they waited for Mehmood to return from the United Kingdom to sign it.

Background on strategy

According to sources, PPP wants to form only one province, South Punjab, instead of two, the other one being the restoration of Bahawalpur province. Sources said that Gilani and President Zardari found that if they could succeed in convincing Nawab of Bahawalpur, Salahuddin Abbasi and Mehmood against the restoration of Bahawalpur province, then they could easily form South Punjab as the only new province.

Subsequently, PPP struck a deal with Abbasi in August, which has seen the Nawab nearly withdrawing from his stance. The second task of wooing Mehmood was assigned to Gilani.

Mehmood will support PPP in winning its candidates four National Assembly seats of Rahim Yar Khan, as these constituencies have been considered his family seats. Mehmood will be given a free hand to award tickets to people of his own choice for the seats. Furthermore, Mehmood’s NA seat and three provincial assembly seats will be contested on the PPP ticket.

PML-F not pleased

On the other hand, PPP’s decision to appoint Mehmood as Punjab governor has irked PML-F leader Pir Pagara. Mehmood resigned as PML-F chief in Punjab and subsequently departed Karachi for Lahore early Friday morning, where he will not only take oath as governor, but is likely to join PPP.

Soon after the development, Pagara called on PTI leader Jahangir Tareen, who is Mehmood’s brother-in-law, and held a meeting in Karachi.

Addressing a press conference, Pagara said, “It is not me, but President Asif Ali Zardari who wants to appoint him governor without our consent. The PML-F has nothing to do with this decision.”

Pagara said when Mehmood informed him about PPP’s offer, he asked him not to accept it.   “When I bluntly refused, he said ‘my father wanted to see me [as the] governor of Punjab. I have now got an offer and have come here for your permission.”

Pagara also ruled out his party having any direct or indirect contacts with PPP. “We do not believe in back-door negotiations and we will not negotiate with PPP.”

Sources in PML-F told The Express Tribune that after his arrival in Karachi on Thursday, Mehmood met with Pagara.

“I can only accept this offer if PPP withdraws the local government system and appoints you [Mehmood] governor in Sindh,” sources quoted Pagara as saying.

When reports that Mehmood was appointed by PPP as Punjab Governor became public, he returned to meet Pagara, which resulted in heated arguments between him and PML-F leader Imtiaz Shaikh. Pagara eventually intervened and asked Mehmood to resign immediately.

Sources in PPP said President Zardari had formed a committee under the supervision of Gilani to woo Pagara, who has emerged as a threat to the party in Sindh.  The PML-F leader is adamant about not rejoining the coalition and forming any alliance with PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.