Wattoo named PPP chief of central Punjab

ISLAMABAD — In a surprise move President Asif Ali Zardari, as co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has named Manzoor Wattoo as president of the Punjab Pakistan People’s Party.

By (Our Correspondent)

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Published: Sun 21 Oct 2012, 12:14 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 1:21 PM

Wattoo joined the PPP in 2008 after the general elections and was elevated as vice-chairman of the party. He replaces loyalist Imtiaz Ahmed Wariach.

Zardari ostensibly chosen Wattoo to lead the party in central Punjab and give a ‘tough time’ to the Sharifs with whom he has old rivalry. In 1990s, he revolted against the PML-N and formed a group PML-Junejo. The 14-member group held the balance of power in the deeply divided Punjab Assembly that enabled Wattoo to become chief minister with PPP’s support. In 2009, Wattoo was assigned the task of overthrowing Shahbaz Sharif as Punjab chief minister by fostering defection in the PML-N.

The plan backfired despite imposition of emergency which had to be withdrawn under a ruling by the Supreme Court.

MPA Tanvir Ashraf Kaira has been named central Punjab secretary general in place of Azizur Rehman Chan.

news@khaleejtimes.com


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