Change of guard: Latif Khosa quits in favour of Makhdoom
Dispels impression he was unhappy with his party’s decision.
KARACHI:
Punjab Governor Latif Khosa handed his resignation to President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi on Saturday, saying that his party’s decision was more important to him than any post.
Khosa quit the post following the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government’s decision to appoint Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood as his successor, an MPA from Rahim Yar Khan who quit the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) after being offered the position.
While talking to journalists at Karachi airport, Khosa dispelled the impression that he was unhappy with his party’s decision. “There is a democratic culture in my party where all decisions are made in a democratic way. I’m going to submit my resignation to our leadership and will accept whatever decision is made.”
Soon after his arrival at Bilawal House, President Asif Ali Zardari met with him. Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek was also present on the occasion. According to party sources, President Zardari directed the law minister to move a summary for the appointment of the new governor while receiving Khosa’s resignation.
Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme Chairperson Farzana Raja, President Zardari’s counsel Barrister Wasim Sajjad and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also held separate meetings with President Zardari on Saturday.
Later, while speaking to the media, the interior minister lauded Khosa’s services as governor of Punjab, adding that it was PPP’s right to appoint a new governor in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2012.
Punjab Governor Latif Khosa handed his resignation to President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi on Saturday, saying that his party’s decision was more important to him than any post.
Khosa quit the post following the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government’s decision to appoint Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood as his successor, an MPA from Rahim Yar Khan who quit the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) after being offered the position.
While talking to journalists at Karachi airport, Khosa dispelled the impression that he was unhappy with his party’s decision. “There is a democratic culture in my party where all decisions are made in a democratic way. I’m going to submit my resignation to our leadership and will accept whatever decision is made.”
Soon after his arrival at Bilawal House, President Asif Ali Zardari met with him. Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek was also present on the occasion. According to party sources, President Zardari directed the law minister to move a summary for the appointment of the new governor while receiving Khosa’s resignation.
Benazir Bhutto Income Support Programme Chairperson Farzana Raja, President Zardari’s counsel Barrister Wasim Sajjad and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also held separate meetings with President Zardari on Saturday.
Later, while speaking to the media, the interior minister lauded Khosa’s services as governor of Punjab, adding that it was PPP’s right to appoint a new governor in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2012.