The nomination of Nasir Saeed Khan Khosa - a close aide of former prime minister Nawaz Sharirf - as caretaker chief minister Punjab has surprised many as why Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the major opposition party in the province, floated his name for the key slot. Khosa, a grade-22 officer, happens to be brother of Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and a former bureaucrat Tariq Khosa - both of them are known for their integrity, honesty and professionalism.
But the sources said that Nasir Saeed Khosa is poles apart from his two brothers as he is considered to be the loyalist of Sharifs. A source went to the extent in saying that he even fought with his brother Justice Asif Saeed Khosa after he passed remarks against Nawaz Sharif in landmark Panama Papers verdict.
Nasir Saeed Khan Khosa, an officer of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) 6th CTP, has also served as a chief secretary in both Punjab and Balochistan with his tenure in the former extending to over two years with Shahbaz Sharif as the chief minister from February 4, 2010. He is currently working as alternate executive director in World Bank from Pakistan.
Some two months back, the sources said, he was moving from pillar to post to become Pakistan's ambassador to the US, but Shahbaz Sharif, who is also his brother-in-law, stopped him, saying his "services would be required in elections instead."
As promised by the younger Sharif, he was nominated as caretaker chief minister Punjab - a province which is considered as the main battleground for both PTI and PML-N in 2018 general elections.
The thing which is more interesting is that his name was proposed by PTI's Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid in consultation with senior party leadership including Imran Khan.
"This is a jigsaw puzzle which no one of sound mind would ever comprehend as what's the logic behind nomination of Nasir Khosa as caretaker CM, because any party that wins from Punjab normally forms government in the centre," said a senior PTI leader who declined to be named. Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed declined to divulge on the issue, saying he was busy in a meeting.
When contacted, PTI Central Information Secretary Fawad Chaudry said that Khosa is a credible officer and this was the reason PTI proposed his name which the PML-N also accepted. To a question, he said that there could hardly be any senior bureaucrat in the country who had not worked with the Sharifs, as they have been ruling the country for the last three decades.
"We've confidence in him [Khosa] and hope he will ensure free, fair and transparent elections," he added. Another PTI leader who wished not to be named said that Imran Khan was not in favor of Khosa's nomination as caretaker chief minister but then "God knows how certain senior leaders convinced him."
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