Friday, May 16, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429    

PPP-PML(N) coalition split further widens
Nisar terms Taseer as controversial

Salim Ahmed

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has expressed serious reservations over appointment of what it called a ‘controversial person’ as new Punjab Governor and asked the coalition partner Pakistan People’s Party to explain its position in this regard.
The senior leader of the PML-N Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan accompanied by Ayaz Sadiq MNA, Pervaiz Rasheed and Capatain (Retd.) Safdar told reporters at a news conference here on Thursday that it appeared that Salman Taseer has been appointed as Punjab Governor under a conspiracy in a bid to negate the public mandate through horse trading.
‘’President Pervez Musharraf is hatching conspiracies while sitting in Army House and Aiwan-e-Sadr and wanted to start horse trading in the Punjab which is country’s biggest province’’, he said.
Answering a question, he said after the 17th amendment it is discretion of President to appoint Governor of province but consultation with the Federal Government is necessary though not binding. If there was any consultation between President and the Federal Government on this appointment, the PML-N was not taken into confidence, he added.
Nisar also requested Prime Minister to accept resignations of the 15 PML-N Ministers so that notification could be issued. He said the PML-N Ministers had resigned on the judges issue.
On the other hand, Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman said in a interview with an private channel that the PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif was taken into confidence on this appointment. Asif Ali Zardari had discussed the matter with Shahbaz Sharif, she added.
The former Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the alliance between the PML-N and PPP no more exists and their relations would further aggravate in coming days.
In a statement spokesperson of the Party Farhatullah Babar said that under the Constitution the Governor of a province is appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister.
A couple of names were under consideration including that of Mr. SalmanTaseer for appointment as Governor Punjab.
The PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari informed the PML-N about it on Wednesday. He also spoke with the Punjab Chief Minister about it, spokes man said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-N Thursday decided to boycott the oath taking ceremony of the appointed Governor for Punjab Salman Taseer.
Earlier, PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said no consultations were made with Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders for the appointment of the new governor in Punjab. He termed appointment of Salman Taseer as Governor Punjab part of a conspiracy.
Pakistan People’s Party on the other hand denied reports that the PML-N leaders were not consulted for the appointment of the new governor. Khawaja Asif in reaction to the statement of PPP said: “There is a difference between consulting and informing.”