Reports indicated that Mohammad Sarwar nomination for governor did not sit well with the PML-N ranks. PHOTO: REUTERS
President Asif Ali Zardari appointed former British MP Mohammad Sarwar as the governor of Punjab.
According to an official statement, issued by presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar Wednesday night, President Zardari, on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, approved the appointment of Sarwar as the Punjab governor. The premier had sent a summary for Sarwar’s appointment a day earlier.
The decision comes after much speculation over who would take over the top slot. Sarwar, who recently renounced his British citizenship, had reportedly been offered both the Punjab governorship and the office of high commissioner to the UK by the prime minister.
However, reports indicated that his nomination for governor did not sit well with the PML-N ranks. Party members expected the slot would be offered to someone from the party, possibly from South Punjab to reinforce the party’s position in the region.
“Everything that I have learnt in my time in Britain – the knowledge and how to run institutions - I can use it for the benefit of Pakistanis,” said Sarwar, who previously served three terms as a member of the British parliament, while talking to Reuters. “I can be a bridge between overseas Pakistanis and Pakistanis here and work for the betterment of both.”
Talking about the challenges confronting Punjab, Sarwar said: “I believe life is in the hands of God. If you are in politics, you have to do the right thing and some people are not going to like it.”
He added that he hoped to use his experience in Britain to improve education in Punjab, working alongside UN special education envoy and former British prime minister Gordon Brown.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (16)
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I'm just as weary of imported leaders as everyone else, but those referring to his investigation in 1997, do realise that he was "aquitted" (i.e, found innocent) in 1999, right?
Labour MP Mohammed Sarwar (Britain’s first Asian MP, Glasgow) was the subject of a major News of the World investigation in 1997 into bribery and corruption. Despite this, the massive Asian population in his constituency keeps him safely in his seat.
It seems we will always be ruled by Imported leaders!
I read a report by Mike Cowley on Google uk. I would like to share. Thank You.
The Glasgow Labour Party and the Mohammed Sarwar Case: Some Personal Reminiscences
Mike Cowley
Although many will consider that MS is a clean person but the fact remains that PML-N cannot find a single person from Pakistan to run as governor!!!
This is the decision which Mr Sarwar, who recently renounced his British citizenship, will regret for ever. No one ever, I repeat No one ever has gone with dignity from these positions in Pakistan. It was in UK that he could make something out of his hard work. In Pakistan hard work is worthless. It is a country where development through corruption and heaven through killings is the motto.
@Atif Salahuddin: And yet his son get elected from the constituency. Fast Fact: UK is not Pakistan!
Mohammed Sarwar is a man who stepped down from British politics after the British parliamentary expenses scandal. Sarwar had claimed a record near £175,000 in 2008-09, being dubbed Britain's most expensive MP. He has also stood trial for allegedly bribing political opponents and one of his son's was convicted for alleged money laundering and spent 3 years in jail. This is the real experience that Sarwar will bring to Pakistan.
It is shocking beyond belief that this man can assume such a significant political position in Pakistan. One of his other sons, Anas Sarwar, is now also a British MP. How can such a person be trusted as to where his real loyalty lies? With Pakistan or Britain?
Sarwar is a pure political opportunist and the Sharif brothers have confirmed once again that quid pro quos are given to their cronies who have helped them. What a dismal day for the people of Punjab.
This is what an appointment on merit looks like. Being a British national is no crime, so those harping on this are using this fact because they find nothing else to criticize. Its like calling a man a 'saint' - you can't be sued for that! My advice, we have a very good man to help bring good governance and we should go all out to support him.
The younger brother must not be happy with this decision since it is going to create conflict of opinion in the province for which the younger one is not used to of. Turbulent times ahead in panjab.
Welcome on board Sir! We all hope that you will be the role model for overseas Pakistanis, currently having Dual Nationality but, willing to come back and contribute to their motherland. Long Live Pakistan.
This is ridiculous. Noone should be allowed to parachute into a position like this from overseas. Mr Sarwar is also a dodgy characters his British citizenship apparently meant nothing as he happily gave it up just to get a position in Pakistan.
smells nepotism rather than merit and credibikity
Considering the selection and consequent election of MH as president, this is a great choice. Obviously PML-N does not have much faith in the active party workers so they are importing the re-cycled politicians from the West. What a shame that we still do not find good honest people even in the third term of PML-N locally in Pakistan.