Khosa tries to soothe Nawaz

LAHORE - Governor-designate Sardar Latif Khosa on Wednesday made a courtesy call to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, apparently in an attempt to placate the elder Sharif who seems unhappy over his appointment. Confirming the development, Punjab Governments spoke-sperson Senator Pervaiz Rashid said Nawaz congratulated Khosa over his elevation as Punjab governor. As per PPP sources, Latif Khosa contacted the PML-N chief on the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and conveyed a message of goodwill on their behalf. Khosa reportedly assured Nawaz that he would like to work in cohesion with the Punjab government and the PML-N and expected the same from their side. Commenting on the development, a PPP source said Khosas courtesy call to Nawaz was an indication from the PPP side that the new governor will not indulge in any tug of war with the Nawaz party as was the case during the days of slain Governor Salmaan Taseer. Earlier, PML-Ns cautious response to Khosas appointment showed that Sharifs were not happy over President Zardaris choice for the office of the Punjab Governor, but Khosas telephonic contact seems to have pacified them at least for the time being. Talking to Nawa-i-Waqt on Wednesday, Latif Khosa said both the PPP and PML-N had fought many battles in the past, but now was the time to work together for national development. He said he had also conveyed a message of goodwill to Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had also reciprocated in the same manner. Khosa said all leaders should keep national interests supreme while setting aside political differences. He made it clear that he had not been appointed governor to take up fights with any political party. He vowed to carry forward the agenda of national reconciliation set by President Zardari. He claimed that almost all key figures in the four provinces had welcomed his appointment. He pledged to ensure good governance in Punjab in collaboration with the PML-N.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt