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LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which is struggling to muster enough numbers in the Punjab Assembly to form a government in the province, is also faced with another dilemma: selection of a suitable candidate for the chief executive of the province. Out of Punjab’s 297 seats, the PTI has so far won 122 seats, according to unofficial results.
PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi could have been considered a potential candidate for the chief minister’s slot, but he lost from PP-217 Multan-VII.
As the seat is wide open with no clear candidate yet, various quarters have initiated campaigns to pitch certain candidates for the coveted slot.
According to a campaign running on an online political forum, Dr Yasmin Rashid should be considered as a potential candidate for Punjab chief minister, as she proved herself a strong worker in her three elections in the ancestral constituency of the Sharif family. Dr Rashid also served as PTI Punjab’s general secretary.
Though she lost from the Sharif stronghold (now NA-125) following a neck-and-neck fight, but Dr Rashid tops the party’s list for women’s reserved seats.
Advocating that a candidate entering the Punjab Assembly on a reserved seat could become a chief minister, the online campaign is seeking public opinion on who should become the CM from amongst Dr Rashid, PTI central Information Secretary Fawad Chaudhry -- who pitched his name himself, and PTI Punjab President Abdul Aleem Khan.
Voting in the online polls suggests, so far, that 65 per cent respondents wanted Dr Rashid as the chief minister, while 23 per cent favoured Mr Chaudhry and 12 per cent Mr Khan. As many as 9,312 voters had participated in the poll till 10pm.
While a large number of party workers are promoting Aleem Khan as a potential candidate for the chief minister’s position, others believe Mr Khan is facing inquiries in the accountability bureau over his offshore companies and a land scam. They even claim that Mr Khan was demoralised after losing from PP-162 as well as NA-129 even though he may have won from PP-158.
Fawad Chaudhry has pitched himself as a candidate for the slot, saying in a talk show on television: “It will be a lie to say that I’m not a candidate for chief ministership.”
Former opposition leader in Punjab Assembly, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, who had earlier on Thursday dispelled any impression of being a candidate for the CM’s slot during a formal media talk, has now floated his name.
In reference to reports that former chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi could be a potential candidate for the top slot in Punjab, Mr Chaudhry asserted that only a PTI member would be selected as the chief minister.
In order to gather enough numbers to form a government in Punjab, Mr Chaudhry said the PTI had contacted 21 independents, while eight more would be contacted on Saturday (today). He also claimed that the eight independents would be meeting party Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday to formally join the PTI.
Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2018
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Comments (68) Closed
Jul 28, 2018 11:20am
There is no doubt, bibi Yasmin Rashid is a honest, hardworking and dedicated leader, but in order to be a Punjab's chief minister, one has to have a strong personality with determination to tackle corrupt mafia that exist in Punjab. In my honest opinion, YR will be very good at handling health issues, particularly for women, children and pre/post birth problems that poor women face!
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Jul 28, 2018 11:36am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Love Aunty Yasmeen Rashid such a sweet lady, she is like my elders. I love you so much Dr YR.
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Jul 28, 2018 11:37am
Dr YR may be best person to lead health ministry.
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Jul 28, 2018 11:41am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Aleem Khan's corruption cases are pending in courts. On the other fawad chaudary will destroy PTI's reputation as he is not a leadership material. So PTI should search someone else rather than these aforementioned people.
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Jul 28, 2018 12:14pm
Eventhough Pervez Elahi is from PML Q, he would make for a good chief minister for the province given his performance in the province during his tenure.
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Jul 28, 2018 12:50pm
RY for CM and some senior politician from independent or Q league as Senior Minister.
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Jul 28, 2018 01:57pm
To tame the Mafia Culture of the bureaucracy of Punjab which has also trickled down the its people (who are now used to this way of life), one needs a strong headed, active and touch aggressive young person and in my view Fawad Chaudrey is the perfect person for this. Ruling Punjab for 5 years will have far more reaching effect than ruling the Federal Government.
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Jul 28, 2018 01:57pm
PmlN is also trying.
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Jul 28, 2018 02:07pm
I think Dr. Yasmin will be good administer.
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Jul 28, 2018 02:09pm
@Talha Lots of people think the same but it would be demoralizing for PTI's candidates if even with 120 choice they choose someone from another party.
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Jul 28, 2018 02:09pm
Let’s go with Yasmin rasheed or Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab CM - make Qureshi home minister or deputy prime minister
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Jul 28, 2018 02:11pm
Yasmin Rashid, a true face of change.
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Jul 28, 2018 02:39pm
why PTI should form Govt in Punjab??
No ethicks
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Jul 28, 2018 02:42pm
@Talha I agree.
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Jul 28, 2018 02:56pm
She is suitable as a health minister....
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Jul 28, 2018 03:00pm
Most suitable and safe bet, Dr.Yasmin Rashid
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Jul 28, 2018 03:22pm
Make me CM of Punjab.
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Jul 28, 2018 03:25pm
I think Mian Mahmood Raseed is also a good candidate for CM slot. He gave a tough time to Shahbaz govt in provincial assembly.
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Jul 28, 2018 03:30pm
If fawad chaudary gets the cm slot it would be worse than having raja pervez as prime minister. I dont understand the change we are about to see , is fawad chaudary the change ? the person will defend anyone if tood to so. He used to defend ppp ,pml q , and musharraf with the same abusive narrative he uses now. I hope PTI does not make big mistakes like this. Which would effect its future electorate.
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Jul 28, 2018 03:36pm
Maj Tahir Sadiq should be most suitable candidate for CM Punjab, he won NA 55 by 45,000 votes lead from PMLN Sheikh Aftab, NA 56 by 65,000 lead from PMLN Malik Sohail and PP 3 by 32,000 votes lead from PMLN Malik Asif. He & his father, mother, son & daughter remained MNAs, MPAs, twice Chairman District Council Attock and twice Nazim Attock. He has good administrative experience besides political being DG local Government Punjab & ADG industries Punjab. He can handle Sharifs and their cronies effectively.
He gave solo flight to PTI in district Attock.
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Jul 28, 2018 03:45pm
Dr Yasmin Rashid as CM punjab will be a huge confidence building factor for women in Pakistan and abroad. A great uplifting effort for 51% of our population. Fawad Ch shoild bat at information minister position in Imran Khan team.
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Jul 28, 2018 03:59pm
Struggling? Classic line from the losers.
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Jul 28, 2018 04:08pm
@Barkat Ali Khan sorry to say but he is the most curropt candidate in the slot. He is still facing many enquiries of his Musharraf's regime. Pti will kill itself in Punjab if he will be Chief minister.
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Jul 28, 2018 04:12pm
Yasmin Rashid is a symbol of integrity, honesty, women empowerment and professionalism. IK's real challenge now is not the Sharif's or PMLN anymore but the corrupt system that exists. Perhaps Yasmin Rashid might not be well equipped to tackle the corrupt political mafias but she would be the real symbol of CHANGE as first woman CM of Punjab. Politicians like Mehmood ur Rasheed, Aleem Khan, Fawad Chaudhary and Shah Mehmood Qureshi should support Yasmin Rashid's candidature as CM Punjab and protect her from corrupt political mafias in the future so that she could single-mindedly focus on the development of the common man in Punjab. These five years should not be about holding PMLN accountable for its disservice to Pakistan but about breaking the corrupt systems that exist and that would be the NAYA PAKISTAN we all dream of.
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Jul 28, 2018 04:21pm
A person with strong nerves who could fight corrupt mafia is required to be the CM.
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Jul 28, 2018 04:33pm
Old souls best for these tough positions Mehmood ur Rasheed or anyone else elder like him should be considered.
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Jul 28, 2018 04:34pm
Dr yasmin Rashid would be best choice and a master strock by PTI.am all for dr yasmin Rashid, all the best dr
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Jul 28, 2018 04:44pm
Tariq Sadiq from Attock is best candidate of CM of Punjab
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Jul 28, 2018 04:51pm
No one other than Dr Yasmeen. Thanks.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:16pm
I would propose Pervez Alahi. He know well how to put Punjab back on fast-tracked development.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:16pm
IK has been entrusted by people of Pakistan a national consensus to govern. He must rise above and beyond 'party politics' and pick smallest but smallest 'cabinet' of purely competent, honest, sincere and dedicated individuals. Need of the moment is governance of the 'best among the batter' to bring the nation on the right track self reliance, independence and maturity, away from the corrupt practices of the last several decades. Surely there are such 'a few ' individuals in a population of over 200 million. He has this first and perhaps only chance to make history in delivering genuine, merit based and competent governance that is all inclusive and not 'only' party centered. Good luck to him now that the biggest responsibility of his life has fallen on his shoulders. IK, do NOT disappoint people who have played their trust in you. May you succeed where all other have miserably failed so far. Do not forget merit b/c others failed by deliberately ignoring this important standard.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:22pm
PTI has an opportunity to create history here. We have never had a woman on such a powerful position. BB became PM as a virtue of being a Bhutto but Dr. Yasmin will be a success story based on merit.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:24pm
I Vote for Mian Mehmood ur Rashid as CM Punjab because
• He is free of charge from National accountability and Anti- corruption departments including NAB, FBR, ECL etc.
• He was among the founding members of PTI and has been with Imran Khan in his political struggle since 22 years.
•He showed how an opposition leader should be in Punjab province.
• He refused to take protocol as Opposition leader.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:26pm
@iftikhar what do you mean no ethics? If independents side with PTI and are a majority then they should govern - it’s very simple - rule by majority Candidates
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Jul 28, 2018 05:28pm
Dr Yasmeen Rashid is the best choice.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:36pm
Even though I am from Karachi, but my support is with DR. Yasmin Rashid. PTI challenged status quo parties before election and won and now PTI should challenge status quo within its party and I am pretty sure it will be good for people of Punjab.
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Jul 28, 2018 05:37pm
Mian Mehmood ur Rashid as CM Punjab would be a suitable decision as he is a founding member of PTI , a seasoned politician, led a great opposition in the last five years and most importantly is free of charge from ALL National accountability and Anti- corruption departments
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Jul 28, 2018 06:10pm
Dr Yasmeen Rashid is the best choice.If she is honest and hard working then she can control any mafia of any size.
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Jul 28, 2018 06:11pm
Dr Yasmin is an excellent choice .
She is up tight honest and dedicated
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Jul 28, 2018 06:39pm
Dr Yasmin Rashid deserves CM slot
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Jul 28, 2018 06:55pm
1. Yasmin Rashid.
2. Maj. Tahir Sadiq
3.Mahmoodur Rashid.
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Jul 28, 2018 07:01pm
If everyone believed that its the top leadership and its vision, which will prevail, at the end so why not trust Dr.Yasmeen. She is very devoted worker, well respected, well educated and on top of everything there is no corruption charges or opened inquires against her. She is the most suitable candidate for this position. Big NO to Aleem Khan and Fawad
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Jul 28, 2018 07:16pm
Aleem Khan? might as well give the post to Malik Riaz.
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Jul 28, 2018 07:23pm
YR seems too sweet a person for this job. Fawad C seems too immature for it but maybe that may be just what is required to keep the opposition in check.
Shah Mehmood Quesreshi would have been a good choice had he won his seat
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Jul 28, 2018 07:47pm
Dr Yasmeen deserves an honest shot at this post. I hope he chooses her. Working as a gynaecologist and Obstetrician is not an easy job as people think . She has immense experience dealing with big teams being president of a dynamic organization like PMA and head of department in this particular speciality which is nerve wrecking at least. People who are in this profession know what I am saying. She has the experience of dealing with big team of people with diverse personalities and intellect. Also, she has great administrative skills in empowering her employees. She is definitely the right person for this job especially her healthcare background makes her the most suitable candidate as Punjab is a big province afflicted with major health issues, health education , female inequality which is one of the biggest issues of this province due to illiteracy. She will empower women and also provide a balance with the male population due to her skills of managing teams.
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Jul 28, 2018 07:57pm
Please not Fawad Chaudhry. Not at all fit for the job.
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Jul 28, 2018 08:00pm
@Sid , YR is not fit, young and active enough to be the chief minister. She should be the health minister.
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Jul 28, 2018 09:23pm
all corrupt should be taken to task
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Jul 28, 2018 09:56pm
It would be interesting to see how PTI resolves the Punjab CM candidate competition should they form the Government. it will show a lot. Whether the PTI is any different than the parties they have blamed always as corrupt and power hungry. Or, It is just like others when it comes to fighting for power.
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Jul 28, 2018 09:59pm
@Farhan Ghafoor it's about choosing on merit
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Jul 28, 2018 10:10pm
My one vote goes for Yasmeen Rashid. Thought all of them will do pretty good
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Jul 28, 2018 11:05pm
Aleem Khan is under NAB radar, Fawad cannot control his tongue. So the best would be Dr. saheba
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Jul 28, 2018 11:09pm
The vote is already here. See the comments and vote for Dr. Saheba
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Jul 28, 2018 11:27pm
My vote for Dr. Yasmin
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Jul 29, 2018 02:07am
why PTI by force wanted to get hold of chief Minister slot. They still have to wait from opposite number to ensure have enough numbers first.
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Jul 29, 2018 02:10am
My personal favorite for Punjab CM is Naeem Bukhari
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Jul 29, 2018 02:54am
Think out of the box,
Faisal Javed khan has been groomed for 20 years under IK supervision. He brings new blood and political skills.
Hamza Ali Abbasi feels strongly against corruption and will give a tough fight to the opposition.
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Jul 29, 2018 02:56am
Dr. Yasmin Rashid is probably better suited to be federal health minister.
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Jul 29, 2018 03:58am
@Najum IK should not opt for the tainted people!
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Jul 29, 2018 03:59am
The candidate has to be clean and should have appropriate credentials!
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Jul 29, 2018 06:30am
@iftikhar
Ethics only before election!
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Jul 29, 2018 06:44am
CM Punjab should be elected from general seat and not reserved seat criterion as indirectly elected person negate the principle of direct representation of people.
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Jul 29, 2018 06:56am
Dr Yasmeen Rashid is best.
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Jul 29, 2018 07:26pm
DR YR will be a clean choice!
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Jul 29, 2018 10:58pm
We not only need honest leaders, they need to be educated and smart too, dedication to the party is one thing, dedication to the people is what makes a great leader.Like Imran Khan.
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Jul 29, 2018 11:23pm
PTI should announce creation of South Punjab province. PTI can easily form a govt. in South punjab. Even if PTI manages to form a govt. in Lahore, it will be difficult to govern as PMLN and others will try their utmost to oust them. Better reduce the importance of Lahore by creating a South Punjab province. With strong govts in KP, South Punjab and Islamabad, PTI will be on a strong footing to deliver its manifesto. Balochistan and Karachi will be behind PTI also.
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Jul 29, 2018 11:58pm
Don’t underestimate Dr.Yasmeen, she is the most hardworking lady and has matured to be a good politician. And for the first time the CM will be a lady. Thanks IK
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Jul 30, 2018 06:03am
@ Anti-Corruption_Pakistani - totally agree. for punjab you need a strong and hard nosed person who can get rid of the filth PML-N has spread in the last 20 or so years.
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