Dr Hasan Askari's name has been announced as caretaker chief minister of Punjab and the PML-N is not having it.

The party has accused the PTI nominee of being partial against them, with the likes of party stalwart and former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi saying that he doesn't expect fair polls under Askari.

"His [Askari's] impartiality and views against PML-N leadership are known to everyone. In the presence of Mr Askari as caretaker chief minister, elections on July 25 will not be fair and transparent." — Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

Other PML-N bigwigs like Saad Rafique and Ahsan Iqbal have also expressed reservations about Dr Askari's appointment.

Are these concerns valid? The election commission doesn't think so and says the process was followed up to a tee, all ECP members on board and everything. Askari himself brushed aside the reservations saying he has "no political agenda".

The ANP is also unhappy with this nomination, with Zahid Khan making a sarcastic comment saying the commission may as well have posted PTI Information Sec to the office.

On the other hand, PPP and MMA are telling PML-N to accept Dr Askari’s nomination as they feel it followed due process.

Dr Askari takes oath today, amid the rumble, so stay tuned for more.

Opinion

Editorial

New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.
Ceasefire, finally
Updated 26 Mar, 2024

Ceasefire, finally

Palestinian lives matter, and a generation of orphaned Gazan children will be looking to the world community to secure justice for them.
Afghan return
26 Mar, 2024

Afghan return

FOLLOWING a controversial first repatriation phase involving ‘illegal’ Afghan refugees last November, the...
Planes and plans
26 Mar, 2024

Planes and plans

FOR the past many years, PIA has been getting little by way of good press, mostly on account of internal...