PM Shehbaz and Raja Riaz strategise for caretaker premier

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Raja Riaz have taken a measured approach in finalising the selection of the caretaker prime minister.

According to Dawn.com, possible decision regarding the interim premier’s appointment was expected to be reached by Saturday.

According to the media reports, after the untimely dissolution of the NA, PM Shehbaz engaged in discussions with Riaz to exchange a roster of potential candidates for the top position. The formal consultations took place at the PM House, according to an official statement.

The reports said that Riaz addressed the media at Parliament house and said that there was no urgency in determining the caretaker prime minister’s appointee.

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Meanwhile, a speculation circulated within the political circles that PM Shehbaz might aim to extend his tenure until August 14, enabling him to participate in the Independence day flag-hoisting ceremony. A caretaker PM was reportedly set to assume office following the national event.

Earlier on July 12, the PM said that his administration’s tenure would conclude on August 14, although the information minister later clarified that an error had been made regarding the date.

Constitutionally, Shehbaz Sharif can serve as the caretaker prime minister until the interim setup’s leader is designated. Article 94 of the Constitution stipulates, “The president may ask the prime minister to continue to hold office until his successor enters upon the office of prime minister.”

The reports said that delay in appointing the interim setup leader was thought to be related to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) preference for one of their own members to assume the role.

According to Dawn.com, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari were influencing the decision-making process in collaboration with an undisclosed “third party.”

As both factions safeguarded the identities of their nominee lists, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani emerged as a prominent contender for the position. Sanjrani held separate meetings with the PM Shehbaz and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

A senior PML-N leader conveyed that Sanjrani was a “strong candidate” and equated him to a “dark horse,” referencing Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s earlier use of the term. Other potential contenders included Jilal Abbas Jilani, former finance ministers Dr. Hafeez Sheikh and Ishaq Dar, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, former justice Tassaduq Jilani, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pir Pagaro, and Makhdoom Mehmood Ahmed.

Read More: Dissolution of National Assembly, federal cabinet notified

Meanwhile, the opposition leader Riaz said that the head of the interim setup would not be an “imported” individual. “We will not unveil the name of the caretaker prime minister prematurely,” he added.

As per Dawn.com, there was also speculation that the PM will unveil the caretaker premier’s name on August 12. However, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to occur on the evening of August 14 or the next day.

On August 9, Prime Minister Sharif dissolved the NA, three days ahead of the government’s term expiration. As per the constitution, the upcoming general elections are mandated to take place within 90 days.

Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah recently said that due to the need for delimitation following the latest census, the polls might be deferred to March 2024.