Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the biggest opposition party of the country, has short-listed eight names for the interim prime minister.
Chaudhry Nisar, the opposition leader, addressing a press conference on Tuesday said that they had shortlisted 8-9 names including retired judges and senior politicians for the premier, however, the list did not include anyone from Punjab.
The government and its allies were not sincere in forming new provinces but creating a spectacle. He added that the PPP was politicking on the name of Southern Punjab.
He also criticized the Parliamentary Commission on new province and said that it was responsibility of parliament to form new provinces.
Nisar also alleged the government of paying Rs2-4 billion to some television channels and anchor person as a part of election rigging.
Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has rejected what he called the "Zardari Commission" for the creation of new provinces in the country. We would only accept a national commission formed with the consultation and advice of the opposition, he added.
Nisar said that the government want to cover up its corruption and inefficiency by raising slogan of new provinces. The most popular party in Punjab was not accorded enough representation to create new provinces in Punjab, he said adding that the rulers are using new provinces as a political weapon for which the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Assemly have become a tool.
Nisar said that he and his party reject commission that comprise outsiders for the division of Punjab.
He also accused President Zardari of getting involved in unfair practices before the elections and anchor of particular television channels have been bought for this purpose from the public money.
It is pertinent to note here that parliamentary commission on formation of new provinces, chose Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar as its chairman today. The PML-N completely boycotted the commission’s opening session, demanding the enhanced representation in the body.
The circle around the rulers are getting tightened, Nisar said adding that Imran Khan should also disclose his source of income after declaring so-called assets. Muslim League Nawaz would issue a white paper about this soon, he added.
Nisar also alleged that the government and its coalition partners are not sincere for the cause of new provinces. He said the government led by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is doing nothing but political gimmickry in the name of new provinces.
Lashing out at the government, the PML-N leader underscored the government wants to do away with the disgraces of incompetence and corruption it incurred during the last four and half years.
The exasperated N-League leader maintained that the PPP is making a fool of the public by raising slogans over southern Punjab like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The PML-N also demanded that the commission’s task for the formation of new provinces should be widened to other provinces as well.
Earlier, Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah told reporters in the parliament house said that the existing assembly’s term would end on March 18 and then an interim setup would follow, however with the consultations of the allies elections could be held a month or two earlier than schedule.