LAHORE – Why Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan has appointedSenator Chaudhry Sarwar as the new governor of Punjab?
Imran Khan has appointed Chaudhry Sarwar as Punjab governor to politically`handle’ the PML-N in its stronghold.
Besides performing his constitutional duties as governor, sources in theparty say, Mr Sarwar may be guiding the chief minister, if he or shehappens to be a young candidate – as hinted by party chairman Imran Khan.
“Chaudhry Sarwar will be a politically active governor besides vigorouslypursuing his passion to promote education and provide clean drinking waterto the masses across the province,” a senior party leader said.
Sources say Mr Sarwar is the only leader who can give tough time to thePML-N in Punjab, which would be focusing its politics in the province.Former slain Governor Salman Taseer had also played an active role duringhis tenure and the PPP seemed strong in Punjab.
Mr Sarwar was recently elected a senator from Punjab and steered the partyto get stronger in Punjab. He had resigned from Punjab governor officeunder the PML-N rule in January 2015 and immediately joined the PTI.
In the Senate election from Punjab in March this year, Mr Sarwar had pulleda surprise by snatching a Senate general seat with a majority firstpriority vote in the Punjab Assembly despite being short of the requirednumber – when PML-N was ruling full throttle in centre and Punjab. Hetopped the seven candidates’ list on general seats with 44 first priorityvotes, while his party had 30 members in the assembly. Some 20 women MPAsof PML-N had voted for him.
Mr Sarwar is also considered having good ties with the Gujrat’s Chaudhryfamily as he had bagged PML-Q votes for his election as Senator.