ECP Additional Secretary Akhtar Nazir announced the decision in a press conference in Islamabad.

Nazir said the decision to appoint Askari was taken unanimously.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had nominated Admiral (retd) Mohammad Zakaullah and Justice (retd) Mohammad Sahir Ali, whereas the then Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Mahmoodur Rasheed had proposed Prof Hasan Askari Rizvi and Ayaz Amir for the post.

The same four names will now be sent to the ECP which will choose one man from among them to become the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.

Opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed on Wednesday remarked that Rizvi was the only ‘neutral’ candidate of the four suggested names. The opposition and government were unable to agree on a name as the government wasn’t budging from their two candidates.