ISLAMABAD: The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, opposed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s candidacy for the caretaker Prime Minister’s role. He also downplayed the necessity of immediate elections in the country.
The National Assembly’s tenure is scheduled to end on August 12. There are discussions ongoing among government members regarding the interim setup.
If the government dissolves before August 12, elections would be held within the next 90 days. If the assembly completes its term, the Election Commission of Pakistan must hold polls within the next 60 days.
Reports emerged earlier this week about Dar being considered for the caretaker Prime Minister’s position. However, the PML-N seemed to backtrack on the idea following the rejection by its ally PPP and the opposition PTI.
Riaz, as the opposition leader in the NA, also rejected the notion of Dar leading the caretaker government. He expressed concerns that holding elections under Dar’s leadership would not be accepted by the public.
He called on the PML-N to announce a name for the caretaker Prime Minister or share it with the media. Riaz mentioned that he has the responsibility of providing three names as the opposition leader. He also hinted at plans to meet the Prime Minister by August 1 to discuss the caretaker government issue.
Regarding the nominee for the caretaker Prime Minister, Riaz expressed that an economist should fill the position. He also dismissed the urgency of holding elections within the constitutional timeframe stating that the country’s problems and challenges should take priority over elections.
Riaz was appointed as the opposition leader in May 2022 after being nominated by NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf. He was part of a group of PTI dissidents who remained in the National Assembly despite other party MNAs resigning on the party chairman’s directives.
