PTI chief Imran Khan addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday. PHOTO: INP
It appears that Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid is becoming a frontrunner among opposition nominees for the slot of the caretaker prime minister.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also endorsed his nomination and party chairman Imran Khan has backed his name for the top slot in the interim set-up, a day after the largest opposition party of the country – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – unveiled three names for the interim prime minister which included Justice Zahid.
“Yes, we endorse PML-N’s nominees. Justice Zahid is our first choice for the caretaker prime minister,” PTI General Secretary Dr Arif Alvi confirmed to The Express Tribune on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the PML-N contacted PTI Secretary General Alvi to forge consensus on its chosen names for the top slot. Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan finally put an end to a week-long guessing game about the caretaker premier after choosing three names which were later sent to the government.
“We have endorsed all the names and verbally responded to PML-N’s request today (Thursday),” Alvi said.
PTI’s Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood said that all three names put forward by PML-N including Justice (retd) Zahid, Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan and Rasul Bakhsh Paleejo were eminent people and qualified to assume the challenging mantle of the caretaker prime minister.
Imran Khan’s press conference
The party chief warned that PTI would move the Supreme Court against the government in case of certain legislation unacceptable to his party.
“If the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and PML-N get the Tax Amnesty Bill passed from Parliament, we will knock the doors of the Supreme Court.”
PTI would not award party tickets to bank defaulters, tax evaders and corrupt politicians, he vowed. To a question on the creation of new provinces, Khan said, “It will be disastrous for the state if the government takes such a decision in haste.”
He added: “PTI would press the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold free, fair and transparent elections otherwise it would trigger a bloodbath in the country.”
Regarding the intra-party elections, Khan said, “We will most likely finalise these elections before March 23.”
(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR CORRESPONDENT IN LAHORE)
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (16)
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@g antanu: Good point. One could understand your intellectual level by seeing how aptly you targeted Mirza's comments. As far as I can can see, his comments bear no reference to Opposition, or to opposing everything.
Just watch how IK and PTI will take yet another U-Turn just like it did on Fakhruddin Ibrahim and cast aspersions on Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid as well.
PTI is definitely moving in the right direction and hitting right issues which affects common man through its unvelied policy on energy, education and industry. Lets hope that better sense prevails when voters throng to polling stations on that fateful election day. Lets hope that the traditional reasons to vote incuding cast, creed, money and personal betterment does not stand in the way, while voting for the right person and making this country a better place for masses.
Anybody with a little knowledge of economics & banking, can well understand what our current leaders are doing with us. Just showing glitzy glimpses of laptops, solar lamps, Benazir Income Program, Waseela Haq etc in election year to attract votes, by sabootaging the economy of this country and funding all this by taking loans from commercial banks and SBP and plundering tax payers money on these cosmetics programs which cannot bring any real & major change in the society.
Slowly PTI is converting into mature political party.
PTI accepted Fakhru Bhai's name as well as these nominations from PMLN. This shows maturity on behalf of PTI as well as PMLN since PTI did not criticize just for the sake of criticism and PMLN did not nominate a care-taker candidate that would not be acceptable to PTI. So both need to be commended on this honest cooperation.
@Mirza: where does corruption issue crops up into this? if your idea of opposition party is to OPPOSE everything for the sake of it then one can understand your intellect level...
Imran khan zindabad
@AS: You seem happy with the status quo. . Pakistani appetite for corruption knows no bounds.
There must be agreement in matters involving interest of Country and its people.
I think it clearly proves that PTI leadership does not criticize PMLN just for the sake of criticizing. We are proud of you PTI!
What these political players do not realise that people are frustrated and angry with the games that are being played. if there is a reaction from people, the fallout would be severe
@AS: Wait for the 23rd of March. After that there will certainly be no enemies of PTI.
We are with you sir.
a confuse leader creating more confusion you need no enemy
What is the party chairman doing in Dubai?
good, for once PTI didn't behave like a cry baby.