ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The uncertainty as who will spearhead the interim setup in Pakistan till general elections yet prevails though last night President Dr. Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
The National Assembly stood dissolved three days before the completion of its full five-year tenure.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی نے قومی اسمبلی تحلیل کر دی
صدر مملکت نے قومی اسمبلی کی تحلیل وزیر ِ اعظم کی ایڈوائس پر آئین کے آرٹیکل 58 ایک کے تحت کی pic.twitter.com/B7kGkMWLEh
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 9, 2023
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is still engaged to finalize a suitable person for the post of caretaker prime minister for a period which is highly expected to be extended till the first quarter of next year after an accord was granted to the 7th Population and Housing Census by the Council of Common Interest (CCI), suggesting that the next general elections would take place on new census data.
Shahbaz Sharif and the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz will hold a meeting on Thursday to evolve a consensus on the interim prime minister.
The prime minister has already said that they still have three days to decide on the matter after the dissolution of the National Assembly.
If an agreement is not reached on any name, the Parliamentary Committee would take up the matter. But if the Parliamentary Committee also fails to decide the matter, then it would go to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to pick the caretaker prime minister from the list of naminees.
Who will be the caretaker prime minister?
Though it still remains unveiled as who will assume the role of the said post as the ruling parties have so far refrained from revealing the final name but they have apprised about their respective nominees.
By yesterday, the former Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani had emerged as the strong contender to become the interim prime minister among other contenders which also included the former Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh.
Congratulations to Ambassador (R) Jalil Abbas Jilani on his appointment as caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. A proud moment for the Foreign Service of Pakistan.
— Abdul Basit (@abasitpak1) August 9, 2023
68 year old Jalil Abbas Jilani, Grade 22 retired Pakistani diplomat who served in as the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, US ambassador, hailing from Multan most likely to serve as the next caretaker PM. All indications have been given but it’s not over till it’s over!
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) August 9, 2023
A senior diplomat with good reputation could be the new care taker prime minster….
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) August 9, 2023
Besides, the former Principal Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, the former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Jilani, Justice (retd) Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, and the former Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon are in the run for the role.
From politicians, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ishaq Dar were also hinted as potential candidates for the post.
