ECP appoints Dr Hasan Askari as Punjab caretaker CM

After much delay, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) finally appointed on Thursday Dr Hasan Askari as Punjab caretaker chief minister (CM).

ECP Additional Secretary Akhtar Nazir made the announcement at a press conference outside the the commission's office in Islamabad. The newly appointed caretaker CM, Dr Askari, is a political scientist and military analyst and has taught Master's-level courses at Pakistani, American and German universities.

The final decision was made by the ECP after a parliamentary committee failed to form a consensus between the Punjab government and opposition. The Punjab government had earlier suggested the names of two candidates, Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and retired Justice Sair Ali whereas the opposition had recommended Dr Askari and Ayaz Amir's name for the designation.

The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) initially nominated former bureaucrat Nasir Khosa as the caretaker but later withdrew the name because of strong reaction on social and public media over Khosa’s appointment.

Later, the PTI had put forth two more names, Inspector-General (IG) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Nasir Durrani and analyst Dr Askari for the position. But the IG Durrani excused himself from the designation.

After today's appointment, Balochistan remains the only province yet to have a caretaker CM. The ECP is expected to announce the CM caretaker's name soon.