ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A close associate of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will replace his slain predecessor as Punjab's new governor but analysts say they are concerned.
The analysts told The New York Times Zardari's appointment of Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa could aggravate tensions with the political opposition in the province. Khosa -- a lawyer, former senator and loyalist of Zardari's ruling Pakistan People's Party -- will succeed noted liberal Salman Taseer, who was assassinated last week by his security guard Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, because of his efforts to reform Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws.
The Times said Pakistan's various Islamic groups and their supporters have held rallies in support of Qadri, posing more headaches for Zardari's secular-leaning party. Zardari's other problem is that Punjab is the stronghold of Nawaz Sharif, leader of the main opposition.
Analysts told the Times the appointment of Khosa, who is seen as low key compared with Taseer, could lead to tensions with Sharif because of Khosa's party loyalty and the fact that Sharif's brother Shahbaz it the province's chief minister.
"The appointment unnecessarily muddies waters that were already terribly muddy," Dawn newspaper columnist Cyril Almeida, told the Times.
Khosa had been the attorney general in 2008 but was removed from the post after allegations of corruption.
The appointment comes at a time when the fragile coalition led by Zardari's party has just managed to stay in power after settling difference with opposition parties, the report said.
