London: Maryam Naw­az, senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on Tuesday mocked PTI Chairman Imran Khan over his criticism of the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab’s caretaker chief minister, saying that perhaps Farah Khan should be made caretaker CM instead.

Ms Nawaz was referring to Farhat Shahzadi alias Farah Khan, a friend of the PTI chief’s wife, Bushra Bibi. Ms Khan is accused by the incumbent government of having influence over political appointments and illegally amassing wealth and property during Mr Khan’s tenure.

“He [Mr Khan] has started crying over this [the caretaker appointment]. If he opposes certain names, maybe Farah should be made caretaker chief minister in Punjab, because she has experience of running Punjab,” Ms Nawaz said while talking to reporters outside Stanhope House.

PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, asked for comments on Mr Khan’s criticism, said: “Forget about what Imran Khan says. This man did not leave any stone unturned when destroying Pakistan. He was a curse on the country. Getting rid of such a person is the responsibility of every Pakistani.”

Ms Nawaz is preparing to leave for Pakistan later this week and plans to play a key role in a reset of her party’s political strategy.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2023