PTI withdraws Nasir Khosa's name for Punjab caretaker CM

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday had a change of heart when it withdrew the name of former bureaucrat Nasir Saeed Khosa for the office of caretaker chief minister of Punjab.

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid said the party is taking back its decision to install Mr. Khosa as caretaker chief minister owing to public backlash.

He said a new name for the position will be made public soon after consultation with party leaders.

The opposition leader said the decision to withdraw Mr. Khosa’s name was taken after taking into consideration public backlash and voices of disagreement from within the party.

PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said people aired reservations over the party’s pick for the office of caretaker chief minister of Punjab on social media. Besides, some party leaders also objected to the nomination, he added.

He said Mr. Khosa’s name was picked keeping in view his past track record. He said the decision to withdraw the nomination was taken during a meeting of the PTI core committee as the party believes holding general elections is a sensitive matter and that the party didn’t want to make them controversial.

On May 29, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the opposition leader jointly announced the nomination of former bureaucrat Nasir Saeed Khosa as Punjab’s caretaker chief minister.

Glad to announce that Leader of the opposition Punjab and I have agreed on the name of Nasir Saeed Khosa as caretaker Chief Minister Punjab for interim setup. Another step towards strengthening democratic process. pic.twitter.com/FVfU5Edqgk

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 28, 2018

Earlier, the two leaders had put forward two names each for the post and agreed that they would consult their parties for finalising one person from the nominees.

After announcement of Mr. Khosa as head of caretaker set-up in Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif had expressed hope that he, being a reputed bureaucrat, will help ensure transparency during the electoral process in Punjab.

Khosa, a former bureaucrat, served as chief secretary in Punjab and Balochistan in the past.

He also served as as deputy commissioner Faisalabad and Lahore, additional secretary agriculture and food and principal secretary to the Punjab governor.