ISLAMABAD, MAY 22 (DNA) – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday rejected two of the names proposed by the main opposition party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for the slot of caretaker prime minster.

The PPP has put forth names of former chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board Zaka Ashraf and former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani for the top interim post.

The PTI has said its nominees – earlier shared with Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah – are far better options. They include former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, State Bank of Pakistan’s former governor Ishraf Hussain and former minister Abdur Razzaq Daud.

“The PTI outright rejects the name of Zaka Ashraf due to his close association with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari,” PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said while addressing a press conference on Monday.

He said Ashraf was an integral part of the PPP and a member of the party’s central executive committee, adding that he was also stated to be one of the main financiers of the PPP co-chairman. Ashraf was also responsible for looking after the PPP’s affairs in South Punjab, he claimed.

Talking about Jalil Abbas Jilani, Chaudhry said he was a seasoned bureaucrat but not as good and neutral as the PTI’s nominees.

“Our objection to the nomination of Mr Jilani is not as strong as to that of Zaka Ashraf, but we think the PTI’s nominees are more suitable. The PTI-suggested names should be considered for a fair electoral process,” he urged.

He said it was beyond logic why the PPP was refusing the name of Tassaduq Hussain Jillani “who enjoys uncontroversial background and is respected for his integrity at the highest level”.

No delay in polls

The PTI spokesperson said his party did not want even a slight delay in the next general election “which should be held according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan”. He said the PTI was fully prepared for the election.

He refuted media reports about the PTI’s possible electoral alliance with the Pakistan Musilm League-Quaid or any other party, saying the PTI would contest elections on each and every constituency of Pakistan.