Punjab

Punjab interim CM: Asma Jahangir declines caretaker role

Rights activist says all issues should be resolved through consultations.

Web Desk March 19, 2013

Rights activist and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE: A day after her name was suggested among the three nominees for the caretaker Punjab chief minister slot, rights activist and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Asma Jahangir turned the offer down, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had unveiled its picks for the caretaker chief minister of Punjab — proposing the names of Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa and Mian Aamir Mehmood along with Jahangir.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Jahangir said the issue of caretaker setup should be resolved through consultations. She regretfully declined taking any responsibility in the caretaker set up.

The provincial legislature is scheduled to complete its term on April 9.

Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) is apparently divided over the Punjab Assembly, with the Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan-led faction calling for it not to be dissolved, while the Ishaq Dar-led group is in favour of its dissolution on March 19 along with the three other provincial assemblies.