ISLAMABAD: Amidst heightened political tensions, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and its allied parties have granted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the right to nominate the caretaker prime minister.
The decision was made during a video conference of the coalition partners convened to deliberate on the caretaker setup.
During the virtual meeting, some prominent candidates were considered for the position of caretaker prime minister. The strongest contenders include Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a seasoned politician known for his previous role as prime minister, and Hafeez Sheikh, a respected economist with vast experience in economic affairs. Aslam Bhootani, an esteemed civil servant, and Fawad Hasan Fawad, a prominent bureaucrat, were also among the names discussed by the PDM leaders.
Notably, the deliberations also brought up the name of Zulfikar Magsi, a seasoned politician with a reputation for maintaining political balance.
All the names for the caretaker prime minister have now been submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He will consult with the opposition leader, Raja Riaz, to finalize the name of caretaker PM.
Prominent political figures, including PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and heads of other allied parties, participated in the virtual meeting.
The discussions took place just a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hinted at the possibility of dissolving the National Assembly on August 9.
