Punjab governor: Gilani’s cousin poised to replace Khosa?

The Express Tribune

The meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani at Bilawal House on Thursday revived speculation that the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to bring about political and administrative changes in Punjab. Reportedly, the PPP leadership decided to remove Punjab Governor Latif Khosa and appoint Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood – a Pakistan Muslim League-Functional MPA hailing from Rahim Yar Khan and a first cousin of former premier Gilani – in his stead. While no leader from the ruling party confirmed the move, official sources say that Mehmood, who met President Zardari at Bilawal House on Thursday along with Gilani, will take oath tomorrow (Saturday) in Lahore. According to them, PPP’s defeat in the recent by-polls in Punjab has irked the party leadership enough to take the decision. During the meeting, Gilani reportedly briefed President Zardari about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s victory in the by-polls. Sources say the former premier held PPP’s lackluster campaign responsible for the rival party’s victory. They added that in addition to appointing Mehmood as the new Punjab Governor on Gilani’s recommendation, the President also decided to make the former premier responsible for the PPP’s campaign for upcoming elections. When contacted, the Bilawal House spokesperson claimed he knew nothing about any such decision, adding that he became aware of such reports through the media himself. Despite repeated attempts, Presidential Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar and Political Secretary Rukhsana Bangash could not be contacted for confirmation. If appointed, Mehmood will be the third governor of Punjab appointed during the incumbent government’s tenure. Soon after Salman Taseer’s assassination in 2011, Latif Khosa took over the governor’s office. He was previously the attorney general of Pakistan.