After securing a clear majority it needs to form the government in the Centre, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided to remove the incumbent governors appointed by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.
According to sources familiar with the development, powerful lobbies within the party have started using their influence to replace Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad with a person of their choosing. The strongest names being touted for the slot are Ghous Ali Shah, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, Imdad Chandio and Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, they added.
“Party leaders are divided on the appointment of the (Sindh] governor. Some suggest this slot be given to a person who can give PPP a tough time in Sindh and organise the party in the province, but a few leaders recommend appointing a non-Sindhi governor who can accommodate all stakeholders amicably,” a senior PML-N leader told The Express Tribune.
“The final decision will be made next week in Lahore,” he said, adding the PML-N would consult all likeminded parties in Sindh, such as PML-Functional, before making a decision.
There are also reports that PML-F is demanding the governorship in Sindh. No senior PML-F leader confirmed the reports.
“Our support is unconditional. We have not demanded anything from PML-N,” said PML-F Sindh chapter secretary general Imtiaz Shaikh.
Meanwhile, PML-N senior leader Siddiqul Farooq said that it would be a prerogative of the new federal government to appoint ‘governors of good repute’. “We will at least appoint those people who do not have a criminal record,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Mumtaz Bhutto would be the right choice for the Gov slot. He can control PPP, Qaim Ali. Lyari and at the same time will be influential to Gabols, Magsis, Makhdooms and Pagaras, Mengals, Bugtis in Sindh & Baluchistan.
So we will be getting Non-Sindhi Governor and Non-Sindhi CM (Owais Muzzafar Tapi). I want to see the same in other provinces.
"...but a few leaders recommend appointing a non-Sindhi governor who can accommodate all stakeholders amicably,”...................this is the problem with Pakistan. Why wouldn't a Sindhi governor be able to accomodate stakeholders amicably? So basically we are not equal to the "real" Pakistanis (Punjabi/Urdu-speaking). PML-N needs no coalition in the government, so please do not treat Sindh like PPP does. Sindh governor and Chief Minister should be Sindhi/Sindhi-speaking!
Governor should be a non-sindhi Urdu speaking person to maintain balance in the province otherwise it would be tough 5 years for PMLN for sure!
It has been decided that Sindhi speaking governor will be inducted after oath taking of our leader. Jeay Mian brothers. Jeay Pakistan.
Either Mumtaz or Ghous Ali Shah should be made Governor, they will give a face to PMLN. Their leadership can create viable space for PMLN in Sindh. Above all, both are honest and competent person.