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Thursday March 28, 2024

Elahi reveals three names for caretaker Punjab CM

If the opposition thinks broadly, the agreement on the suggested names seems likely, says CM Elahi

By Web Desk
January 16, 2023
Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi addressing a press conference along with PTI leaders. — Online/File
Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi addressing a press conference along with PTI leaders. — Online/File

After successfully acquiring a vote of confidence in the Punjab Assembly and dissolving the house as planned, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi on Sunday revealed that three names for a caretaker CM have been agreed upon after the consultation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

While talking to the media soon after the huddle with the PTI chief, Elahi revealed that the names included a serving bureaucrat, Ahmed Nawaz Sakhera, ex-federal health minister Naseer Ahmed Khan, and a retired civil servant, Nasir Saeed Khosa. It is likely that one of the three names would be finalised, he added.

The provincial chief executive further said on his official Twitter handle: "We are sending these names to the [Punjab] governor and if the opposition thinks broadly, the agreement upon the suggested names seems likely."

When CM Elahi, earlier this week, issued a notification for the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly, the house dissolved after 48 hours as the governor didn't sign the summer sent by the former.

Elahi will remain to serve as the Punjab CM until the name for the caretaker CM is finalised. He went on to say that on Monday (today) in a consultative meeting, further discussion would be held on the suggested names.

While focusing on media reports of a possible merger of two allies parties, Elahi said: "Imran Khan has asked [Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid] to merge in the PTI."

He added that Moonis Elahi also "thinks that we should merge" the former ruling party.

Shujaat at Bilawal House

PML-Q President Chaudry Shujaat Hussain visited Bilawal House to call on the former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, according to an official statement.

The political situation in Punjab was discussed during the meeting and both leaders also contacted the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the communique added.

During the huddle, the two leaders also discussed the formation of the caretaker setup in Punjab. Hussain also congratulated Zardari on the party's victory in local body elections in Sindh.

Federal Minister Chaudry Salik Hussain and Chaudry Shafay Hussain were also present during the meeting, the statement further added.