PPP loyalists appointed as governors in coalition agreement

In a significant development, President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointments of Sardar Saleem Haider, Faisal Karim Kundi, and Jaffar Khan Mandokhail as governors of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, respectively. This decision follows the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is in accordance with Article 101(1) of the Constitution.

Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and Faisal Karim Kundi, both loyalists of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have been named for the governorships of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively. Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has been appointed as the governor of Balochistan. The appointments were finalized after a meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Saleem Haider, a former federal minister and aide to the prime minister for overseas Pakistanis, will replace the current Governor of Punjab, Baligh Ur Rehman. Faisal Karim Kundi, currently serving as the PPP's central information secretary, has a history of active participation in global dialogues and educational reforms. Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, with a background in student politics and a history of serving in various ministerial positions, will take on the role of Balochistan's governor.

The appointments come as part of a coalition agreement between the ruling parties, PML-N and PPP, following the February 8 general elections. The PPP, with 54 National Assembly seats, has agreed to support the PML-N in government formation, leading to the allocation of key positions such as governors and the National Assembly's deputy speakership to the PPP.