Litigation, agitation if CM not picked on merit: PTI.

LAHORE -- While accusing the PDM of using all its clout to get its 'front man' elected as Punjab's caretaker chief minister, the PTI on Saturday announced it would fight tooth and nail if the appointment was not made on merit.

The PTI believes that PDM has 'something else' in mind than holding the eleAcAtions within the constitutionally requiAred period of 90 days in the province.

'The PDM is running away from elections. It will try its best that elections are not held in 90 days. The nomination of the Sharifs' and Zardari's 'front men' for the post of caretaker chief minister is a PDM's step in that direction,' PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told Dawn on Saturday.

orsing Mr Chaudhry's views, party Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said PTI would approach a court of law if the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to appoint the CM on merit.

Party fears ECP will appoint Mohsin Naqvi for the slot, foresees a delay in Punjab polls

The nominees of the federal coalition are media house owner Mohsin Raza Naqvi and former bureaucrat Ahad Khan Cheema. SAPM Cheema is facing corruption cases. Mr Naqvi is said to be close to PPP leader Asif Zardari.

Outgoing CM Parvez Elahi and PTI chief Imran Khan nominated Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, ex-chief secretary Nasir Mahmood Khosa and former health minister Naseer Khan. Later, they dropped Mr Khosa's and Mr Naseer's names and included Naveed Akram Cheema, an ex-chief secretary. Mr Khosa also refused to join the race.

While referring to PDM's names, Mr Chaudhry said, 'We are not going to allow the appointment of any of the 'two controversial' nominees. If ECP picks one of them we will challenge this in court and take to the streets against such appointment.'

Following a meeting with Imran Khan, Mr Zafar while talking to reporters hoped the ECP would prudently scrutinise qualifications of...