PPP negotiating to get Punjab’s governorship, two ministries

LAHORE - The PPP is most likely to get the governorship of Punjab and a couple of ministries in the provincial cabinet as a part of the power-sharing deal to be negotiated with the PML-N, it has been learnt. Sources said that the name of Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood is under consideration for the slot of Punjab governor. Ahmed Mehmood has already served a brief stint as Punjab governor during the last tenure of the PPP. He is also a friend of newly elected Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif and served as provincial head of the PML-F for a decade or so before he joined the PPP after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. When the PPP lost power in the center after the 2013 elections, Shehbaz Sharif requested Makhdoom Ahmed to continue as governor till the appointment of a PML-N nominee. He remained governor for over four months during the PML-N tenure. He was replaced by Ch Muhammad Sarwar who later ditched the PML-N to join the PTI. During his last stint as Punjab governor, Ahmed Mehmood would not use his official car and return to his Model Town residence in the evening. Also, the PPP is demanding at least two ministries in Punjab besides the governorship.