Fawad Chaudhry reveals who could become Punjab's next chief minister

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan is a potential candidate for the next chief minister of Punjab, ARY News reported.

Speaking to journalists, Fawad Chaudhry said a national government was the only solution to Pakistan’s problems.

Responding to a question about a possible change in the federal government, he said he believed the matter was nearing completion and the PTI should take advantage of the situation.

Fawad Chaudhry said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had maintained complete silence since yesterday’s meeting, adding that the situation would become clear once the party issued a response.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said he was unaware of any move to replace Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and would not comment on assumptions.

Speaking to the media, the governor said Faryal Talpur’s visit to Punjab would have positive effects.

He added that President Asif Ali Zardari was arriving in Lahore today and he would receive him. However, he said he was unaware of the president’s engagements during his stay in the city.

Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry had criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her visit to Jhelum, saying she inaugurated projects launched during the PTI government.

Reacting to Maryam Nawaz’s visit, Fawad Chaudhry said it was good that the projects had finally been inaugurated.

He said he had previously been criticised for not inaugurating the projects during his tenure.

“Had there been no London Plan, the projects in Jhelum would have been completed four years ago,” he said.