ISLAMABAD: The process of appointing a caretaker Prime Minister in Pakistan has reached a crucial stage, with intensified consultations taking place between the government and its allies. During a consultative meeting held at the Parliament House on Monday, the ruling alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), was given a two-day deadline to name a caretaker prime minister. The government has requested the parties to nominate names for the caretaker position after consulting with their leadership
The government coalition is currently discussing five potential candidates for the caretaker Prime Minister position. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are also conducting consultations with their respective allies to finalize their preferred candidates.
Ayaz Sadiq is leading the government team and has engaged with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP). The party leadership will make the final decision on the caretaker Prime Minister candidates. Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman have been reaching out to other parties to seek their support in making this crucial decision.
The five candidates under consideration come from all four provinces. There are two names from Punjab, and one each from Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both major parties seem inclined to select neutral candidates from the business community or civil society.
The ruling alliance, PDM had been given a two-day deadline on Monday to name a caretaker Prime Minister. Representatives from coalition parties attended the meeting. The current National Assembly (NA) is scheduled to dissolve on August 12. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has hinted at dissolving it before the official tenure.
The caretaker government’s responsibility will be to oversee the general election, expected to take place in October.
