Askari appointed in Punjab, Marri in Balochistan

AAMIR SAEED

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday has unanimously decided to appoint Rizvi as caretaker chief minister. The PML-N leaders objected to it, saying Askari is not an impartial person.

But the ECP rejected all objections of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to its nomination of Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Hasan Askari Rizvi.

Spokesman ECP Altaf Khan said the Commission has taken the decision as per the Constitution and the selection of Rizvi for the interim chief minister was unanimous.

The spokesman said that the naming of the caretaker chief minister was the politicians’ job. The ECP only fulfilled its constitutional obligation, he added.

Meanwhile, the ECP also appointed Alauddin Marri as the caretaker chief minister of Balochistan. Additional Secretary ECP Akhtar Nazir announced Marri’s name while speaking to the press in Islamabad. He said that the decision was taken unanimously by members of the ECP.

With this announcement, the interim chief ministers of all four provinces have now been named and they would be responsible to assist the Election Commission to conduct free and fair election scheduled to be held on July 25.

Askari is a political scientist and analyst with experience of working in international think tanks, universities and both local and foreign media. He brings with him over 35 years teaching experience as he has taught masters level courses at Pakistani, German, and American universities on South Asian affairs, comparative politics, international relations, Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy, civil-military relations, the Middle East and the Gulf region.

Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Alauddin Marri is a businessman and social worker from Mastung. He has served as chairman of the Pakistan European Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.