LAHORE: Mohsin Naqvi took oath as caretaker Punjab Chief Minister (CM) in a ceremony held in Governor House. Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman administered oath to Mohsin Naqvi who was nominated by Election Commission of Pakistan for caretaker Punjab CM.

Earlier, Election Commission of Pakistan named Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as caretaker Punjab Chief Minister. Election Commission also notified appointment of Naqvi for caretaker Punjab CM slot.

PTI-PML-Q alliance had suggested Naveed Akram Cheema and Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera names for caretaker CM slot, whereas, opposition tabled names of Mohsin Naqvi and Ahad Cheema. Parliamentary committee comprises of government and opposition members, failed to reach consensus on name for caretaker Punjab chief minister slot on Friday. Names of four nominees were received by electoral watchdog and reviewed in session attended by Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja and other members of Commission.

Decision was taken during meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja.

  Election Commission Secretary was among participants in meeting to discuss four proposed names for slot of caretaker Chief Minister Punjab. Electoral watchdog issued notification which stated,  Pursuant to provison of Clause (3) of Article 224A of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and as result of detailed deliberations made on January 22, 2023. Election Commission of Pakistan has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as caretaker Chief Minister Punjab with immediate effect.

“We will not accept the decision of ECP in case they nominate someone controversial”-@ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/KOpDGTC779

— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 21, 2023

 Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan criticised nomination of Mohsin Naqvi as caretaker Punjab CM by Election Commission of Pakistan. Imran Khan slammed Commission and tweeted, PMLN has history of selecting their own umpires but it’s incredible how ECP has selected sworn enemy of PTI as Caretaker CM Punjab a post meant for non-partisan person. ECP has helped reduce Pakistan to Banana Republic making our democracy joke. I will be holding presser today to expose this entire farce, said Khan. Earlier, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar mocked PML-N’s proposed names for seat of caretaker CM of Punjab.

امپورٹڈ کے فرنٹ مین کو نگران وزیر اعلیٰ بنانے سے بہتر ہے پردہ اٹھا دیں اور نواز شریف یا آصف زرداری کو بنا دیں

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 22, 2023

“Better to lift veil and appoint Nawaz Sharif or Asif Zardari than front-man of imported government as caretaker CM,” he tweeted. Former ruling party’s Senator Ali Zafar had also stated that if “ECP did not fulfil its responsibilities, then matter may go to court”. Mohsin Raza Naqvi is journalist by profession.

He was born in Lahore and moved to US for higher education, where he was associated with CNN and was made regional head when he returned to Pakistan. He also interviewed former PM Benazir Bhutto and according to report, Benazir had made her last call to Naqvi before her assassination.

At age of 30, Naqvi founded local media network in 2009 and now owns six news channels and newspaper. He is also very popular in political circles and has strong relations with leading political figures of country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 23 2023

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