PTI has moved the Supreme Court (SC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to appoint the opposition nominee Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
According to the details, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar filed the petition in the apex court. The plea urges the Supreme Court to stop Mohsin Naqvi from working as the interim chief minister of Punjab. The petitioner further pleaded with the court to declare Naqvi’s appointment “null and void”.
Read more: PML-N to move SC against restoration of Parvez Elahi as Punjab CM
The appointments of Raja Riaz as the Opposition leader in the National Assembly, and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, were also challenged in the petition filed by PTI.
PTI finally challenged the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as Caretaker CM Punjab in the Supreme Court. It's case of first impression. SC Registrar may return petition by raising objections. If the petition entertains then composition of bench will be curicial. pic.twitter.com/r54DQ7noVx
— Hasnaat Malik (@HasnaatMalik) January 27, 2023
Mohsin Naqvi was appointed as the caretaker Punjab Chief Minister on Jan 22 by the ECP after the parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus. The PTI-PML-Q alliance had suggested Naveed Akram Cheema and Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera’s names for the caretaker CM’s slot, whereas, the opposition tabled the names of Mohsin Naqvi and Ahad Cheema.
Imran Khan slams Mohsin Naqvi
Both PTI and PML-Q heavily rejected the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi. PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed that during his time in power, he received reports from the Intelligence Bureau regarding Mohsin Naqvi’s attempts to topple his government.
Imran Khan also added that Mohsin Naqvi did not possess morals or a non-partisan character. He predicted that Mohsin Naqvi would appoint police officials and bureaucrats who opposed the PTI and would attempt to back the party into a corner.
He alleged that Naqvi would not allow provincial elections to take place until the electoral staff was replaced so that the former opposition’s win was guaranteed.
Read more: PML-N to oust Punjab CM Parvez Elahi with no-confidence motion
Imran Khan said that the aim of the caretaker government was to be a neutral umpire, adding that the nominees provided by the PTI and the PML-Q were “credible and honest”.