The uncertainty over who's going to be in charge of Pakistan's biggest province by population and the biggest province by land mass has finally been dispelled on Thursday, with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) naming a professor and a businessman for the two posts.

The ECP had to step in to take a decision in both cases after provincial lawmakers failed to arrive at a consensus in either case after multiple rounds of deliberation.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's proposed nominee, political scientist and analyst Prof Hasan Askari, has been tapped as the interim chief executive of Punjab — a move that has sparked some consternation in the PML-N. Read more about his appointment here.

In Balochistan, the reins have been handed to Alauddin Marri, a businessman and social activist. He had been a nominee of the outgoing provincial government. More about his appointment here.

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
Updated 01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

Pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, retail investors, and eventually, foreign investors must become bigger participants in the market.
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...