News
Friday, June 29, 2012
Raja’s nomination upsets PPP stalwartsBy Manzoor Qadir
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party’s political move to make Raja Pervez Ashraf the 17th prime minister of Pakistan has stirred peeved elements within the party ranks as they have to move on back foot after severe criticism from civil society.
A majority of the party workers and laymen have not digested the nomination of Raja Pervez Ashraf yet and think that President Asif Ali Zardari should have nominated a person with good repute as there is no dearth of good workers in the party.
Well-placed sources in the PPP told Daily Times that July and August were very important months for the party and the present political system since the mind of the apex court in context of writing a letter to Swiss government for reopening money-laundering cases against the president was crystal clear. The party’s think-tanks and top executive members have strong apprehension of losing the government altogether this time if Raja Pervez Ashraf is disqualified from the slot of the premiership on the same grounds as it happened with Yousaf Raza Gilani.
The sources revealed that if in case the present government is toppled by undemocratic forces, the party will be in a better position again and will get the sympathies of the people by becoming a political martyr.
The sources further said the nomination of Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin to replace Gilani was also a bad idea and as soon as his nomination was announced the courts effectively blocked his nomination by issuing an arrest warrant for him.
However, the overall political situation is murky as the party leadership also decided to highlight the continued ‘biased approach’ of the judiciary towards the PPP by pointing out the recent decision of the Lahore High Court in which President Zardari was directed to quit one post - either presidential slot or the co-chairpersonship of the PPP.
The sources said on the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is also enjoying two slots since he is the chief minister of the province as well as the president of the PML-N’s Punjab chapter.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk