Amir Mir
 
Lahore: Following the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s announcement to join the lawyers’ anti-government agitation for reinstatement of the deposed judges, the PPP leader Asif Zardari has appointed a known Sharif-hater as the new Governor of Punjab, being run by a PML-N chief minister.

This indicates further trouble for a fragile coalition that is already reeling from Sharif’s pulling back of his ministers from the federal cabinet.

The nomination of the new governor is bound to increase the conflict and tensions between the two coalition partners since the Sharif party believes that the appointment of Salman Taseer was made at the behest of President Musharraf to topple the PML-N government in Punjab. The PML-N accused the PPP of not taking it on board while naming Taseer for the gubernatorial post but the PPP insisted that it had duly informed the PML-N.

Asif Zardari had recommended the name of Salman Taseer to the presidency despite knowing fully well that he had a history of hostility and acrimony with Sharif going back to 1992 when the Sharif-led PML was ruling Punjab.

Taseer was then detained along with several other PPP leaders. Taseer, who has been called a chartered accountant, a media baron and a businessman, is most significantly known for his pro-Musharraf views and was a part of the caretaker cabinet.

“Taseer’s appointment is part of a conspiracy being hatched in the presidency,” said fired Punjab Chief Minister Dost Mohammad Khosa, leaving everyone bracing for what could turn out to be a decisive battle for control that pits Musharraf against Sharif, with Asif Zardari and his PPP occupying an unenviable position.

The PPP tried to downplay the appointment. Its spokesman gave the impression that the PML-N had been taken into confidence ahead of the announcement.

However, the Sharif party leaders say the governor’s appointment is meant to destabilise the PML-N-led coalition in Punjab and make the Musharraf-backed PML-Q part of the new coalition government.

Source : DNAIndia