PESHAWAR: In a surprise move, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Leader of the Opposition Akram Khan Durrani late Friday evening agreed on the name of former bureaucrat Mohammad Azam Khan for caretaker chief minister in the interim set-up.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by former defence minister Pervez Khattak and speaker Mushtaq Ghani besides the leader of the house and opposition leader of the provincial assembly that was dissolved on Wednesday.

“This is happening for the first time in the history of the province that chief minister and leader of the opposition have decided the caretaker chief minister,” Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) leader Mr Durrani disclosed to the media after deliberating on the names at the meeting, held at Speaker’s House.

The three nominees from the opposition side included Azam Khan and Zafrullah Khan, both hailing from Charsadda district, while Sahibzada Saeed, Owais and Sadiq were the names suggested by CM Khan, Mr Durrani said.

However, the two sides finally agreed on the name proposed by the opposition, Azam Khan, for the caretaker set-up, Mr Durrani said. “Azam Khan has firm command on financial and administrative affairs. Keeping in view the current crisis, we had selected Azam Khan,” he said, while thanking Mr Khattak and Mr Ghani for their efforts to build consensus.

CM Khan said the decision was taken only after consulting with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. “I talked to him and shared the details. He [Imran Khan] also agreed and then we made the decision. We welcome Azam Khan,” he remarked.

A Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn, London, Azam Khan had earlier served as minister for interior, capital administration and development in the caretaker cabinet of prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk in 2018. He also remained provincial minister for finance, planning and development in the KP caretaker cabinet of CM Shamsul Mulk from October 2007 to April 2008 and served on key positions in the federal and provincial governments. Before these stints, he served as chief secretary from September 1990 till July 1993. He also remained Pakistan Tobacco Board chairman.

Just a day ago, spokesman for the previous PTI government, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, said CM Khan would never sit with the opposition leader. “We won’t sit with the opposition and ultimately the decision about the caretaker CM will be made by the Election Commission of Pakistan,” he believed.

However, PTI sources said, with the efforts of ex-CM Khattak, CM Khan and Mr Durrani was brought to table. “Yes, it was Khattak who brought the two together and a meeting was held [to develop consensus on the caretaker chief minister],” a senior PTI leader confirmed to Dawn.

The summary for the dissolution of KP Assembly was signed by Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on Wednesday. A notification issued on the day stated, “since the KP Assembly has been dissolved, the provincial cabinet also stands dissolved”. It added that the governor would appoint a caretaker chief minister following consultation between CM Khan and opposition leader Durrani.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2023