Media tycoon Mohsin Naqvi sworn in as Punjab caretaker CM
ECP has selected a sworn enemy of PTI as Caretaker CM Punjab
ECP has appointed Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Caretaker CM Punjab unanimously & with immediate effect
ISLAMABAD +LAHORE ( Web News )
Election Commission of Pakistan has appointed Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab here on Sunday. The ECP through writing a letter has asked Governor Punjab Engineer Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman to administer oath to Caretaker CM Punjab Syed Mohin Raza Naqvi.
The meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan to consider the four names of Naveed Akram Cheeman, Ahmed Nawaz Sukher, Ahad Khan Cheema and Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi sent by government and opposition in Punjab was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja and comprising Member ECP Sindh Nisar Ahmed Durrani, Member ECP Balochistan Shah Muhammad Jatoi, Member ECP Punjab Babar Hassan Bharwana, Member ECP Khyber Pakhtunkwa Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan and Secretary ECP Omer Hamid Khan.
The formal notification regarding the appointment of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has been issued by the Secretary ECP Omer Hamid Khan.
The notification says:
No. F.2(5)/2023-Cord.-Pursuant to the proviso of Clause (3) of Article 224A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and as a result of detailed deliberations made on 22nd January, 2023, the Election Commission of Pakistan has unanimously decided to appoint Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as Caretaker Chief Minister, Punjab with immediate effect.
By the order of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The name of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi was sent by Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Muhammad Hamza Shehbaz Shairf. Four names were sent by the treasury and opposition benches to the ECP after both were failed to reach consensus on the name of caretaker chief minister Punjab.
It is worth mentioning here that Mohsin Naqvi, a Lahori native, was raised by his maternal uncle after losing his parents at a young age. His uncle also serves as the chairman of the City Media Group for him. He had a traditional upbringing, attending the renowned Crescent school and later Government College in Lahore. He showed early signs of leadership and had a talent for networking, even building a relationship with the chief minister while still an undergraduate student. He later pursued higher education in the United States.
While based in Miami, Mohsin gained experience in journalism through an internship at CNN. This experience may have inspired his idea for local media networks in Pakistan. When no journalist was willing to return to Pakistan, Mohsin, as a CNN intern, volunteered to go back home and leverage the CNN name and his strong networking abilities to establish himself in the news media industry.
While working at CNN, Mohsin held the position of a producer and was utilized as a local resource for the foreign journalists. As CNN s representative in Pakistan, he fulfilled various roles, including being a fixer for journalists visiting Pakistan. He would arrange interviews and meetings with important figures such as the Chief Minister.
As a field producer for CNN, Mohsin worked diligently behind the scenes, focusing on building connections and managing logistics. He never sought the spotlight, a tendency that he carries over to his current role as a leader of his organization. Throughout his time with CNN, he actively cultivated relationships with politicians, journalists, and other influential figures in Pakistan, using his affable personality and easy smile to gain favor and rise through the ranks. He was known for being quick to respond to requests for comment and always maintaining a polite and professional demeanor.
New round of controversies as PTI top brass rejects Naqvi’s appointment
Taking to Twitter, the Chairman Imran Khan said, “PMLN has history of selecting their own umpires but it’s incredible how ECP has selected a sworn enemy of PTI as Caretaker CM Punjab – a post meant for a nonpartisan person.”
“Naqvi also made a voluntary return deal with NAB. SC in suo moto case no 17/2016 declared that in a case. Imran Khan of voluntary return a person cannot hold any public office at federal or prov level nor in any state org. ECP has helped reduce Pakistan to a banana republic making our democracy a joke. I will be holding a presser tomorrow to expose this entire farce,” added Mr Khan.
Elahi to move SC against ECP’s decision
Outgoing Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi also decided to move the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision over the appointment of Naqvi as caretaker chief minister.
Expressing his reservations over the appointment of media tycoon Syed Mohsin Raza as caretaker Punjab chief minister.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Elahi said, “We will move the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision. “How can my close relative become the chief minister?”