Naveed Miraj
ISLAMABAD: As the process to install a caretaker setup in Punjab is in motion after the dissolution of the provincial assembly, Mohsin Naqvi, who is the owner of a private television channel, is likely to become the interim chief minister of Punjab province, it has been learned from reliable sources.
Mohsin Naqvi’s name along with that of Ahad Cheema was put forward by the Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz while from PTI and PML-Q, the names of Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, Naseer Ahmed Khan, and Nasir Mahmood were put forward for the slot.
Naming of Punjab Caretaker CM a bone of contention
After the failure of Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi and Leader of Opposition Hamza Shehbaz to reach a consensus name, the matter is now before a bi-partisan parliamentary committee constituted by Speaker of Punjab Assembly Sibtain Khan yesterday.
As per rules, the committee has three days to finalize the name for the slot of interim Punjab CM. In case of no agreement, the matter will be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Given the current political temperature, the sources are of the view that the parliamentary committee is not likely to reach a consensus and the matter will finally go to the ECP.
Mohsin Naqvi is a strong candidate for Punjab Caretaker CM
The sources told this correspondent that Mohsin Naqvi is likely to emerge as a strong candidate and become the interim CM given his acceptability in the powers that be.
Mohsin Raza Naqvi is a mediaman by profession. He was born in Lahore and went to America for higher education. During his stay in Miami, he was associated with the American TV channel CNN and was made the regional head of CNN when he returned to Pakistan.
At the age of 30, he founded the local media City News Network in 2009. Now he owns six news channels and a newspaper. He is also very popular in political circles. He has strong relations with the leading political figures of the country.
