ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has refused to make further inquiries regarding the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairmanship nomination.
He has instructed party leaders to cease discussions on the matter and has firmly reiterated his stance on the proposed candidate.
According to sources, Imran has categorically endorsed Sheikh Waqas Akram as the party’s candidate for PAC chairmanship, leaving no room for alternative suggestions, while also rebuking the party leadership for trying to reconsider the nomination.
“I will decide who will be the PTI PAC chairman, not Shehbaz Sharif or any other government official. My first, second, third and fourth choice for PAC chairman is Sheikh Waqas Akram,” Imran said during the meeting.
The controversy began when PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry wrote to PTI leader Amir Dogar, requesting a panel of four nominees for the PAC chairmanship. Tariq Fazal had previously written two letters on July 1 and August 29, seeking names for the position.
The PTI, in its response to the first letter, nominated Sheikh Waqas Akram. However, the PML-N later requested a list of four nominees in its second communication.
After consultations with the jailed party supremo, the PTI leadership reaffirmed its exclusive nomination of Sheikh Waqas Akram in a letter dated September 19. “Our first, second, third and fourth candidate is Sheikh Waqas Akram,” the letter stated.
The announcement came a day after party leaders met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
During the meeting, party leaders briefed Imran about the correspondence from the NA president’s office regarding the PAC chairmanship. In response, the PTI founder said, “PTI will nominate the PAC chairman, and neither Shehbaz Sharif nor government officials have the authority to choose from our party.”
The PTI leadership has since initiated consultations on Tariq Fazal Chaudhry’s letter and plans to submit its final response next week.
Imran also hinted that he would resign from the chairmanship of other standing committees if the PAC chairmanship was not given to the party’s candidate.
Earlier, ruling party chief Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary had sent a third letter to PTI chief Amir Dogar, expressing concern over the prolonged delay in the appointment of the PAC chairman.
In the letter, Dr Tariq said the government wanted to conclude the process next week and reiterated the ruling coalition’s repeated requests for the opposition to propose a panel of four candidates to facilitate the appointment.
Despite a ten-month delay, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to respecting parliamentary rules by continuing to offer the PAC presidency to the opposition.
The letter also included a warning to PTI, urging it to submit the requested panel within seven days. Dr Tariq warned that non-compliance would leave the government no option but to proceed unilaterally to finalize the appointment of the PAC chairman.
