New Punjab governor: PML-N split on who should replace Chaudhry Sarwar

Two opposing camps jostling to peddle their opinion to party leadership.


Abdul Manan February 03, 2015
Sarwar said he is keen to serve the people of Pakistan and will continue to do so even if he is not in any political party. PHOTO: EXPRESS/MEHMOOD QURESHI

ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar’s abrupt departure from the Governor House has created another challenge for the ruling party: to find his replacement.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is divided into two camps over who should step into Sarwar’s shoes, sources told The Express Tribune. And Nawaz Sharif, in his capacity as the party chairman, is said to have abandoned the hunt for Sarwar’s replacement – at least for now.

According to sources, one camp, led by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, is pushing for a political appointee from South Punjab. The second group, led by Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique and Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, wants an apolitical person to replace Sarwar.

Interestingly, the Khwajas have found many takers for their opinion in the ruling party, while Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah and most members of the federal cabinet have backed the Nisar camp, the sources said.

The Nisar camp believes a political figure from South Punjab would give the impoverished region representation in the provincial administration and allay the sense of deprivation prevailing there. They say the PPP appointed governor from South Punjab whenever the party was voted to power in the Centre. The PPP had even appointed a president, Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, from South Punjab after winning the 1993 elections.

The sources said the Nisar-led group says there is an impression that whenever the PML-N comes to power it favours Central Punjab in all key appointments. They also point to the fact that Punjab and federal cabinets have little representation from South Punjab.

The Nisar camp had also opposed the appointment of Sarwar because he belongs to central Punjab, the sources said, adding that the group has been trying to convince the prime minister to bring in a political figure from South Punjab to step into Sarwar’s shoes.

According to sources, the Khwajas group has been pushing for a retired bureaucrat, judge or any influential overseas Pakistani to replace Sarwar. And their logic is that such an appointee would not interfere in the administrative affairs of the province. The group has already floated the names of some trusted friends within the party. Both groups know it that Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar will go with whatever decision the prime minister makes.

Due to these divisions within the party, the prime minister is said to have put off the appointment of a new governor – at least for the time being. He consulted his family, friends and aides during his Sunday’s stay in Lahore and concluded that acting governor Rana Muhammad Iqbal would continue until a consensus candidate was picked for the job.

When approached for comments, neither Khwaja Saad Rafique nor Khwaja Asif returned the calls. Punjab government’s spokesperson Syed Zaeem Qadri said the governor’s appointment was the prerogative of the prime minister. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he said people could have difference of opinion but in the end they have to submit to the leadership’s decision. Qadri said that after intra-party consultations, the leadership would soon appoint a new governor.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2015.

COMMENTS (5)

z | 9 years ago | Reply

We don't have much time left, I think federation should consider our great leaders from PTI, e.g., Fozia Kasoori, Ali Zaidi, Azam Swati, or similar there is a long list. See, we are not short of great leaders. otherwise federation will regret their decision, these all going to be Senators soon.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply

"New Punjab governor: PML-N split on who should replace Chaudhry Sarwar"

why to worry? obviously someone amongst the Shareef Family should be taken and let me clarify there are only few Shareefs left in Pakistan.

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