PTI withdraws Nasir Khosa's name for Punjab caretaker CM

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf withdrew on Wednesday the nomination of former bureaucrat Nasir Mahmood Khosa as caretaker chief minister Punjab. 

On Monday, the Punjab government and opposition had agreed to appoint Khosa as the province's caretaker chief minister.

Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed remarked that a new candidate will be announced after consultations.

While speaking to media in Lahore on May 28, Rasheed had announced the selection of Khosa for the position. 

Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif had said that consensus had been reached on the candidate, who is a former chief secretary. Shehbaz had also praised the Khosa's personality.

'Controversial' candidature 

PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry, in an exclusive conversation with Geo News, said that Khosa's name was withdrawn because the public opinion was not in favour of the candidate. 

He further claimed that Khosa's name was at the centre of controversy.

"We respect him and he is an honourable person, however, a candidate should not be controversial and at this time Nasir Khosa's candidature is not appropriate," Chaudhry reasoned. 

A public perception was created that Khosa was a close colleague of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif, thereby, the former's candidature had to be withdrawn, remarked Rasheed. 

"After the name [for Punjab caretaker CM] was announced, there was a perception that Khosa was [associated with] PML-N. Nawaz Sharif said he had served as the principal secretary with him. There was a discussion on this, not only within the party but also amongst the general public," stated the Punjab opposition leader. 

"After holding discussions, the party has withdrawn its nomination. The new name, which will be decided after consulting PTI chairman and party leaders, will be forwarded to the chief minister."

Rasheed terms nomination a 'mistake'

During an appearance on Geo News's show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Rasheed said Nawaz Sharif also praised Khosa, which was why his name has been withdrawn.

The PTI leader further said that they committed a "mistake" with regard to the nomination of caretaker Punjab CM, adding that "more seriousness and homework" was required in this regard.

Earlier, Rasheed had said that PTI withdrew support for Nasir Khosa's candidature after "severe reaction" from party workers.

The role of non-controversial caretaker government is very important with regard to the upcoming general elections," Rasheed told reporters in Lahore.

"There was a severe reaction from party workers over the name of caretaker Punjab CM, after which it was decided to withdraw the name."

Political analysts react to decision

Senior journalist Hamid Mir said that reports to withdraw Nasirul Mulk's name for caretaker prime minister were also being received after objections were raised against the candidate.

"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not benefit from changing its decisions," noted Mir. "[Decisions like these] point to a lack of political maturity of a party."

Mir noted that the timing of the decision was crucial. 

"A new name will be proposed by evening, after which the chief minister will mull over the new name," the journalist observed. "The general opinion due to the timing of PTI's decision will be that the party wants to delay the elections by at least a month."

Mir stressed that a delay in elections will be detrimental to the country.  

Director Geo News Rana Jawad also criticised PTI's decision. "The public opinion about Nasir Khosa could not have changed or surfaced within two days," he said, adding that the party should have the courage to announce the real reason behind withdrawing Khosa's candidature. 

"Political parties tend to make mistakes but it is imperative that PTI must announce the real reason behind backtracking from its earlier decision," said Jawad.