PML-N’s governor, presidential nominees get shock and awe response

If the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rank and file is quite happy over the prime minister’s choice of Mamnoon Hussain Qazi, an old and diehard party worker as candidate for the presidential election, they are quite shocked at the leadership’s choice of Muhammad Sarwar for the Punjab gubernatorial slot. Some senior leaders were even not ready to believe that Sarwar was going to be the new governor, however, they are coming to terms with the development. Reportedly, the PML-N leadership has decided to appoint former Glasgow MP Mohammad Sarwar as Punjab’s new governor. Sources in the party revealed that the decision to appoint Sarwar as the governor had already created resentment in the party. The leaguers say appointing someone with no contribution for the party as the governor was beyond comprehension. The PML-N leaders from South Punjab are equally disappointed, as they were hoping the next governor to be from region, especially after informal announcement of the party leaders that they would go for someone from South Punjab to correct the regional balance of power. As such disappointment is written in bold on the faces of people like Jaffar Iqbal, Zulfiqar Khosa and Senator Rafique Rajwana, all being tipped as the next governor. Similarly, PML-N leaders from Lahore too were quite surprised over the choice of the new governor. Some prominent columnists and writers with leaning towards the PML-N have also expressed their surprise over the decision. “It is quite surprising that party could not find some from Pakistan, especially from Punjab, for the nomination of governor,” a local leader said. Sources said that the reaction in the party was quite palpable, but the problem was that the party head had made a commitment with Sarwar. Sarwar is quite close to the Sharifs. He played an active role in recent elections and was seen attending important meetings held for award of party tickets. Sarwar, 60, was elected as Labour MP for Glasgow Govan in 1997 and served until 2010. Sarwar was also the chairman of the Commons Scottish Affairs Committee. According to UK media reports, Sarwar is set to give up his British citizenship for a political role in Pakistan. On the other hand, party workers hailed the proposed nomination of Mamnoon Hussain as candidate for president. “He is a diehard worker of the party who stood by the Sharifs through thick and thin. When Musharraf staged the coup, he was the Sindh governor. He did not think twice before resigning to stand behind Nawaz,” a party leader said.